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Monday Night Football Picks: Detroit Lions vs Baltimore Ravens

by Mike Allen - 9/18/2025

Monday Night Football picks Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson

The NFL saved the best for last this week on Monday Night Football when the Detroit Lions, fresh off a 52-point performance, travel east to play the Baltimore Ravens, who’ve put up 40 spots each of the first two weeks of the season.

These may be the two most prolific offenses in football again in 2025. It's the respective defenses that are each somewhat suspect. More on that in a moment.

Fair weather is expected in Baltimore for what is forecast to be a free-for-all on offense for both squads. The current point total is set at 53, but nearly every prediction or simulation I saw had final scores with each team in the 30s. 

It’s been a tale of two weeks for the Detroit Lions, or was it just a tale of two opposing teams? Nobody can manage a negative word about the Green Bay Packers, and they handled the Lions in Week 1. I heard the term “The Ben Johnson effect” being thrown around, and then Detroit played their old OC, and it wasn’t pretty.

I was actually surprised to see the betting odds as high as they were for the Detroit Lions this week. I understand it’s a road game and Jared Goff doesn’t perform that well when competing outside, but the weather should be even more comfortable than playing inside.

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Detroit Lions (+5) at Baltimore Ravens (-5)

I'm looking at the NFL live odds screen right now, and there are 4.5's, 5's, and a 5.5 that are available. It's telling me that the (-5) is the consensus betting odds, but whatever you decide to do with your bet, make sure you shop around because the market is all over the place with this game. 

I can’t say I’m surprised, though, with all of the confusion. This is an incredible matchup. Maybe staying away from picking a side is the way to go for Monday night.

Point Total: 53

Nearly 95% of both the money and the tickets have poured in on the over since it opened up at 51.5 points. There are still some 52.5's out there. Shop around as always.

The Baltimore Raven offense is stacked, yes, but they had trouble moving the ball against the Browns on Sunday. Their scores were primarily the result of the four turnovers they received, including the turnovers on downs.

Get this, though. The Ravens had a whopping three 1st downs against Cleveland. How do you score 41 points on three 1st downs?!

I understand the Lions’ defense isn’t Cleveland’s, but I don’t think moving the chains less than five times will cut it against Dan Campbell and the boys.

Moneyline

Lions: +190

Ravens: -240

Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens Betting Analysis

We haven't spoken about Lamar Jackson. It's as if it's just a given that this guy is going to get his. He's incredible and is the early-season leader in the chase for another MVP trophy. His record and statistics on Monday Night Football are ludicrous.

Jackson is 7-2 with a 70% completion percentage, 22 touchdowns, and zero, yes zero interceptions. You have to rate him much higher than Goff.

Other than that, though, these two teams are kinda the same. They’re both better in the regular season than in the playoffs. They’re both better on offense than defense. Each squad prefers to pound the ball on the ground to set up electric throws through the air. They each have hard-nosed head coaches.

As much as I like the Lions here at (+5), I feel like everyone will. They’re going to be the biggest public underdog of the week by kickoff. I want no part of that. We could go over the 53 or find a 52.5.

What I like better, though, is going over the Lions' team total of just 23.5. The team total for Baltimore is above the key number of 28, and since we are below 24 for Detroit, I'll take the bet.

The Lions aren't that good when playing from behind. That worries me slightly, but the Bills managed 41. Let's hope Detroit finds a way to put up 24 points with all those weapons.

Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens Betting Pick

Pick: Lions Team Total Over 23.5

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