The Los Angeles Rams will be back in Ford Field Sunday night to take on the Detroit Lions. The game is a rematch of last year’s NFC Wild Card tilt, a game the Lions won 24-23 – which just so happened to be the team’s first playoff victory in 32(!) years.
There was plenty of drama surrounding the game, as Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford made his return to the Motor City, and almost led his team to the win.
Best Rams vs. Lions Picks (SNF)
Our analysts break down their best Rams vs. Lions picks. Also, check out our best stacking strategy guide for this Sunday Night Football matchup.
Colby Parkinson Higher Than 24.5 Receiving Yards
Parkinson, who signed with the Rams in the off-season, is a fifth-year pro and – at least for now – the Rams starting tight end with Tyler Higbee on the PUP list.
And it’s not like Parkinson was lingering on the Rams bench all these years; he was in Seattle, in a timeshare, on a team that did not utilize its tight ends in the passing game.
But the Rams? Different story. Higbee went 72/620/3 in 2022, and was on his way to another fine year last season before he went down with an injury.
And so the Rams went out and signed Parkinson to a three-year, $22 million deal, with $15.5 million guaranteed. In short: The Rams sure do seem committed to making Parkinson a key member of the offense.
In the off season, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue agreed, writing Parkinson will have a “big role in this next iteration of (Sean) McVay’s offense.”
And what better way to start that big role than by gaining more than 24.5 yards Sunday night.
Here’s the thing: The Rams pass rush is fearsome. They bothered and hurried and pressured Stafford all game last year. Parkinson – in addition to his pass-catching chops – is also a top-end blocker.
In short: While Davis Allen, the backup tight end, will undoubtedly see the field, Parkinson will probably be in on nearly every play.
The outs here are three-fold: Designed passes to Parkinson, the ol’ block-and-release into the flat, and the quick-hitter under pressure. Two catches for Parkinson will probably get him past the yardage number, three almost definitely will.
Notable: In last year’s Wild Card game, Allen grabbed two balls for 28 yards. Parkinson should be able to eclipse that.
Where to play: Colby Parkinson Higher Than 24.5 Receiving Yards | Underdog
Jameson Williams Higher Than 19.5 Yards For Longest Reception
Williams is ready to explode this year. Head Coach Dan Campbell said earlier this summer that Williams is a “man on a mission” and has been the most improved player on the team.
Look out, NFL.
Let’s not forget Williams was a highly touted prospect coming out of Alabama, though his draft stock was lowered after he tore his ACL against Georgia in the National Title game.
Nonetheless, the Lions traded up to grab him with the 12th pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He missed the team’s first 10 games, only suiting up for one. And then, in his second year, he got suspended for a gambling infraction and missed training camp and the team’s first five games.
All in all, it’s been a disappointing runout for Williams.
But now, it appears as if the third-year pro is ready to shine. If Dan Campbell loves ya, you’re probably going to get a chance to do big things.
And Williams has big-things potential.
For some idea of that potential: Williams hit a speed of 21.48 MPH on a play last year, per Next Gen Stats. The fastest player last year, at a hair over 22 MPH? Tyreek Hill.
And Williams is 6’1”. Tall and fast. Tough combo for any defensive back.
As for the Rams defensive backs? Yikes.
Injuries everywhere, and the team will be leaning on the surgically repaired Achilles tendon of Tre-Davious White and a bunch of undrafted free agents.
Campbell wants to get Williams going, the Rams secondary is in tatters. We expect more than one deep shot for Williams, and even if those don’t bear fruit, anytime Williams catches the ball, he’s a threat to go all the way.
Where to play: Jameson Williams Higher Than 19.5 Yards for Longest Reception | Underdog
Stacking Strategies for Rams vs. Lions
The Week 1 Sunday night matchup between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams is expected to be a high-scoring affair, with the total set at 52 points, the highest of the week. The Lions come in as 4.5-point favorites and will look to build on their offensive success from last season. Jared Goff, who has been stellar at home, will face his former team, and all signs point to a big game for Detroit’s passing attack. On the defensive side, the Lions’ pass rush, led by Aidan Hutchinson, could capitalize on Matthew Stafford’s turnover tendencies.
Game Flow and Key Factors
The Lions’ offense should control the pace of this game. Goff has been lights-out at Ford Field, averaging 266.9 passing yards per game over his last 10 contests, with a 70% hit rate on the over for 264.5 passing yards. Against a Rams defense that allowed the 10th-most passing touchdowns last season and is weaker without Aaron Donald, Detroit is likely to exploit the air. Goff’s numbers against the Rams are strong, and his prop bets reflect that trend.
Key Prop Trends for Jared Goff
● Under 0.5 Interceptions (-135): Goff has gone four straight games without throwing an interception, and against a Rams secondary that could struggle, this is a safe bet.
● Over 33.5 Pass Attempts (-125): Goff hit this in his last two games, and given the projected high-scoring nature of this matchup, he’s likely to hit this mark again.
● Over 23.5 Pass Completions (-108): Goff has cleared this in two consecutive games, making it another solid prop, especially if the game becomes a shootout.
Stacking Opportunities
1. Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown: This is the most logical stack, given Goff’s home dominance and St. Brown’s reliability as his top target. Goff has cleared 264.5 passing yards in 7 of his last 10 games, and St. Brown has consistently surpassed 81.5 receiving yards in home games. Against a Rams secondary that struggled late last season, the Goff-St. Brown combination is set to thrive.
St. Brown cleared this yardage prop in 7 of 9 home games last season, including a 110-yard performance against this same Rams team. Given Goff’s likely volume—33+ pass attempts—St. Brown is well-positioned to surpass his prop and could be a prime red-zone target.
Risk and Reward
The Goff-St. Brown stack offers the highest upside, especially with Goff’s recent performance at home. St. Brown’s volume and red zone usage make him a reliable choice for receiving yards and touchdown props.