For the first time in a long time, it’s OK to believe in the Cardinals and Kyler Murray. Destruction of the Rams aside, going toe-to-toe at the Bills was impressive, and Murray has been great connecting with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride. However, this is a spot where the Lions thrive: coming off a loss early in the season. Detroit boasts the stronger defense and the deeper pedigree (believe it or not), and it got a major wake-up call against Tampa Bay last week. I’m ready to buy on Arizona this season … just not in this matchup. Wait until kickoff and see if you can get -2.5.

The Lions have not dropped consecutive games since early in the '22 season. What's more, they are 17-9 ATS under coach Dan Campbell, with a similar percentage overall in the season's first three weeks. Shaky clock management cost them last Sunday against Tampa Bay, and they are too talented to let a losing streak happen. Their O-line should dominate the Cardinals' front seven, which ought to generate enough scoring to more than offset the Cardinal's certain scoring.

Overall, golf has been disappointing, but his yards are still there. For some reason, the books have not adjusted and still have his yards in the 250-260 range.over

Eventually, I will lose on this prop, but Montgomery is scored in 13 of his last 15. So buying it at even money seems like a value play.

The Cardinals took advantage of an injury-ravaged Rams club last week, while the Lions have underperformed relative to expectations thus far. This contrast has provided value on a Detroit side that should have a sense of urgency and has the superior firepower in this anticipated shootout.

What happened to the 2023 Lions that we were expecting to see from the outset of 2024? Detroit could easily be 0-2 after the opening homestand vs. the Rams and Bucs; only a late score forced OT vs. LA, and Detroit couldn't even do that well vs. Tampa Bay. Thru two games, the Lions have also scored only 18 ppg during regulation time as Jared Goff has yet to gain the same rapport as a year ago with his receivers. Not so the Big Red, looking a bit dynamic, and after continuing their 2023 trend of blowing leads in the Buffalo opener, instead went wire-to-wire in a gleeful romp last week past the nemesis Rams, suggesting 2024 might be different in the desert. Play Cards

Detroit is fortunate they are not 0-2 on the season. Sometimes getting on the road for the first time can help alleviate some of the early season rust. Detroit gets to face an Arizona Cardinals team that is coming off their most lopsided victory since the 2016 season. Sell high spot here on the Cardinals, as the Lions gut out a tough road win in Arizona.

I don't want to put too much into what I saw in the first two games but there's no denying that the Arizona Cardinals are much better with Kyler Murray in the first two games than we've seen. He's playing with the renewed purpose. The Cardinals are 2-0 against a spread and lost the opener barely to Buffalo because they scored on every possession in the second half. But the Cardinals have heart with the running game featuring James Conner and last week they unleashed their number one pick Marvin Harrison Jr who was electric with Murray. I think the Cardinals cover against the Lions who are struggling with their own system.

After a Week 1 performance that saw Marvin Harrison fail to make a big impact on the stat sheet, the rookie WR erupted for 130 yards in Week 2 in a game where Kyler Murray only attempted 21 passing attempts. We're likely to see an increase in passing volume in a game with the highest projected total on this weeks slate featuring two explosive offenses. This is also a great matchup for Harrison as Detroit's secondary thus far ranks 24th in EPA per dropback, in addition to 27th in Explosive Pass %.

Kyler Murray has surpassed this total through the first two weeks by a wide margin (59 and 57 rushing yards). The Cardinals are unlikely to run the ball successfully against a stout Lions rush defense which will require them to move the ball through the air. The air attack will lead to a lot of dropbacks and a lot of vintage scrambling from Kyler. Look for him to get out of the pocket and scramble early and often with guys like Hutchinson literally breathing down his neck.

The Lions are kicking themselves after going 1 for 7 in the red zone in their Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay. Ben Johnson's offense has not been as crisp as anticipated. But the Detroit attack should look better this week against a mediocre-at-best Arizona defense. The Lions haven't lost back-to-back games since October 2022. Wish I had jumped on the 2.5s that were available earlier, but I still like it at -3 even money.

Gibbs looks like he might be getting more of market share, Lions need to get back to basics here with a great OL and road grade a bad run D. You look at how James Cook moved against this D Week 1 (over 100 scrimmage yads) and it screams Gibbs to me. He's averaging 5.2/carry since the start of last season Lions can't get too cute here.

The Cardinals looked incredible beating up on the Rams in Week 2, but they'll get a healthier Lions team this week coming off a disappointing loss where Jared Goff had his yearly clunker, throwing three picks. The Lions offense should be much better here, controlling the trenches and leaning more on the rushing attack. The Lions defensive front had a field day with the Bucs, with Aidan Hutchison tallying four sacks and D.J. Reader immediately solidifying the rush defense. The lookahead here was Lions -4.5, which I think is about right even with my Cardinals rating upgrade. Once you see -2.5 like we have at DraftKings, grab it.