Looking to rebound from a disappointing result last Sunday night, the Detroit Lions (2-2) head to Glendale this weekend to take on the Arizona Cardinals (1-3) who are reeling following their third straight loss at the Giants last week.
Detroit has been one of the league’s most explosive offenses through four games, averaging nearly 30 points per contest behind quarterback Jared Goff, but consistent issues on the defensive side of the ball have led to losses against Buffalo and Carolina in two of their last three games. Speaking of a generous defense, the Cardinals have given up at least 31 points in each of their last three games.
The Lions are coming off a 32-26 road loss to the Panthers in which Goff and the offense once again moved the ball effectively but were unable to overcome defensive breakdowns. The defeat followed a 31-24 victory over the Jets and left Detroit still searching for its first road win of the season. Goff is having a career year. He has already thrown for 1,214 yards with nine touchdowns and no interceptions through four games. Arguably the best running back in the league, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown remain the focal points of the attack.
Despite jumping out to a 14-3 lead, Arizona lost to the Giants at the Meadowlands Sunday, 36-24. The loss followed a close loss at San Francisco and a waxing at home to the Seahawks over the previous two weeks. Much like Detroit, the offense has been good but not enough to overcome a leaky defense. Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett has thrown for 818 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions, and the Cardinals have leaned on a balanced attack featuring rookie running back Jeremiyah Love and tight end Trey McBride.
These teams last met on September 22, 2024, and it was a defensive game as Arizona defeated Detroit 20-13 at State Farm Stadium.
Few are expecting much defense Sunday. The storyline is which defense gets a stop late to win what should be a high-scoring and entertaining game. Spoiler Alert: We expect just enough defense.
Let’s dive into the numbers and see if we can’t find an additional sweat or two.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Lions vs. Cardinals
- Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Time: 4:25PM ET
- Site: State Farm Stadium
- City: Glendale, AZ
- TV/Streaming: FOX
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Latest Game Odds: Lions vs. Cardinals
The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:
- Moneyline: Detroit Lions (-258), Arizona Cardinals (+210)
- Spread: Lions -5.5
- Total: 54.5
The line has moved towards the Cardinals after opening Lions -8.5. And the expectation is for points as the Total has been bet up five points from its opening number of 49.5.
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Expert Picks & Predictions: Lions vs. Cardinals
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NFL calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, betting trends, and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Sunday’s game between the Lions and the Cardinals:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports is leaning towards a play on the Lions -5.5.
- Total: NBC Sports is recommending a play on the Game Total UNDER 54.5.
Here’s why the UNDER is worth a look:
The Total has already been bet up five points. The market is pricing this game as if both offenses will light up the scoreboard, and the head-to-head history says otherwise. Factor in that the Cardinals’ offensive line is banged up and frankly is at its best when they are able to run the ball (which chews up clock), this has all the makings of a lower-scoring game than the public is expecting.
Lions vs. Cardinals: Betting Trends and Stats
- The Lions are 0-3-1 against the spread this season
- The Cardinals are 2-2 against the spread this season
- Detroit is 4-0 to the OVER this season
- Arizona is 2-2 to the OVER this season
Quarterback Matchup: Lions vs. Cardinals
- Detroit: Jared Goff
2026 Statistics: 4GP, 1,214 Passing Yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs, 108.6 RTG, Sacked 8 times - Arizona: Jacoby Brissett
2026 Statistics: 4GP, 818 Passing Yards, 6 TDs, 4 INTs, 83.2 RTG, Sacked 7 times
Lions vs. Cardinals: Top Playmakers
Lions
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs
2026 Statistics: 4GP, 80 carries for 353 Yds, 5 TDs / 22 receptions on 28 targets for 187 Yds, 2 TDs - WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
2026 Statistics: 4GP, 31 receptions on 46 targets for 303 Yds, 5 TDs - TE Sam LaPorta
2026 Statistics: 4GP, 22 receptions on 32 targets for 228 Yds, 2 TDs
Cardinals
- RB Jeremiyah Love
2026 Statistics: 4GP, 55 carries for 223 Yds, 1 TD / 11 receptions on 14 targets for 36 Yds, 1 TD - WR Michael Wilson
2026 Statistics: 4GP, 25 receptions on 44 targets for 258 Yds, 1 TD - TE Trey McBride
2026 Statistics: 4GP, 33 receptions on 45 targets for 242 Yds, 2 TDs
Lions vs. Cardinals: Injury Update
Lions
- G Ben Bartch (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- CB Rock Ya-Sin (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game
Cardinals
- RB Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- RG Isaiah Adams (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- OT Paris Johnson Jr. (biceps) has been placed on the IR and is OUT for Sunday’s game
- FS Andrew Wingard (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
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