Lions vs Giants Prediction, Pick, NFL Preseason Odds (August 8)

The Detroit Lions and New York Giants' joint practices this past week got feisty, with multiple fights breaking out and both organizations fined $200,000. Now, they'll face off in an official game on Wednesday night at MetLife Stadium, kicking off tonight at 7 p.m. ET in potentially rainy conditions.

The Lions have a pair of quarterbacks who are familiar with their offense, including one who is yet to see even one preseason snap after being drafted in the third round of last year's draft. The Giants, meanwhile, could find themselves relying on a brief sensation from last season and a new backup quarterback.

Let's break down the matchup and get to my Lions vs Giants prediction, which is a bet against the spread.

John LanFranca Makes a Lions vs Giants Prediction

Lions' Preseason QB Room Is Strong

When handicapping any type of preseason game, the first place to look is, of course, the quarterback position.

For the Lions, both signal callers who will take the majority of snaps are familiar with Ben Johnson’s system. Hendon Hooker and Nate Sudfeld were with the Lions for all of last season. Hooker is entering his second season but is about to see his first game action since suffering an ACL injury at Tennessee in college.

The Detroit depth chart lists Sudfeld as Jared Goff’s current backup, but it's fair to expect a lot of playing time for both quarterbacks. Sudfeld struggled some in his first exhibition action for the Lions last year, but that's to be expected the first year in the system. Before that, Sudfeld’s four years of preseason action yielded eight touchdown passes to only four interceptions.

One benefit for the Lions’ offense in this game will be the competition at receiver down the depth chart. Veteran receiver Donovan People-Jones has had success in the NFL and is looking to carve out a role in this offense, while preseason standout Tom Kennedy is back once again to play the all-important slot role during the exhibition season.

The skill player creating the most buzz at Lions camp is undoubtedly Daurice Fountain. He has been praised by both head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions beat. I like Fountain's chances to make an impact en route to making the team.

Lock & DeVito Will Star for Giants

While we know Goff is not going to play on Thursday night, Daboll has been quiet about whether or not Daniel Jones is going to suit up.

Regardless, I don't expect much of Jones outside of a couple of offensive possessions. Getting Lock an extended look would, however, make a lot of sense since he's new to this offense. After Lock exits the game, expect Tommy DeVito, of brief 2023 regular-season fame, to take over under center.

DeVito finished the season 31st of 38th qualifying quarterbacks in Pro Football Focus' grading in 2023 behind the likes of Kenny Pickett, Deshaun Watson and Will Levis.

What's especially concerning is his propensity for taking sacks. DeVito was sacked 37 times in just nine appearances during the regular season, starting only six of those contests. It gets even worse for Tommy Cutlets during the preseason when he was sacked nine times in only two games of partial action last year.

Behind an offensive line in New York that lacks any significant depth, it's fair to expect at least a couple of drive-stalling sacks for the Giants offense in the second half.

Lions +3.5

Giants -3.5

Our Lions vs Giants Prediction Against the Spread

It’s worth noting weather could impact play on Thursday night with a 60%-70% chance of showers and wind gusts up to 15-20 mph.

Even if the game turned into a slog and the quarterbacks played less of a factor in determining the outcome, I'd still want to have 3.5 points in my back pocket backing the Lions behind a more proven rushing attack given their depth advantage. However, coaches are here to evaluate players at this point in the preseason and they'll want to run their system regardless of conditions.

I'm happy to take more than a field goal in this spot given all of the offensive factors at play.

Pick: Lions +3.5 (-110)

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