Lions vs Ravens Prediction: Expert Week 7 Picks, Odds & Best Bets for Sunday Showdown

Kickoff, TV & streaming details • Date: Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday Night Football) • Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD • TV: ESPN | Stream: ESPN+, NFL+ Current odds & betting lines • Spread: Ravens −4.5 (opened −3.5) • Moneyline: BAL −238 | DET +196 • Over/Under: 53.5 points Why the Ravens can cover 1. Series dominance – Baltimore is 6-1 all-time vs. Detroit, including a 38-6 rout in 2023. 2. Lamar Jackson’s hot start – 72.9 % completion, 7 TD, 0 INT through two games, plus 141 rush yards. 3. Pressure packages – Mike Macdonald’s defense owns a 36.7 % pressure rate (4th in NFL) and now faces a Lions line that just surrendered five sacks to Washington. Why the Lions can keep it close 1. Jared Goff in prime time – 113.2 passer rating on MNF since joining Detroit (5 TD, 0 INT). 2. Run defense resurgence – Dan Campbell’s front is allowing just 94.3 rush YPG since Week 1 of 2023, fewest in the league during that span. 3. Explosive weapons – Rookie wideout Roman Wilson (19.6 yards / catch) adds vertical juice opposite Amon-Ra St. Brown. Key injuries to monitor • Ravens: OLB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) ruled out, thinning Baltimore’s edge depth; CB Marlon Humphrey (foot) questionable. • Lions: LT Penei Sewell (ankle) expected to play; CB Emmanuel Moseley (ACL) remains on PUP. Match-up focus: Lions O-line vs. Ravens exotic blitzes Detroit owns the NFL’s third-best pass-block win rate (71 %), but Baltimore disguises pressure better than anyone, sending five or more rushers on 36 % of snaps after showing a two-high shell pre-snap. If Sewell is less than 100 %, coordinator Mike Martindale will test him with delayed nickel blitzes while spying Jahmyr Gibbs out of the backfield. Prop bets to consider • Lamar Jackson OVER 48.5 rush yards – Detroit tends to play man on third down, creating scramble lanes. • Amon-Ra St. Brown OVER 6.5 receptions – Ravens’ slot tandem allowed 17 catches last week. • Jahmyr Gibbs anytime TD (+135) – Baltimore has conceded a rushing score in four straight games dating back to 2024. DFS dart throws • Gus Edwards, RB, BAL – Goal-line hammer at $5,800 on DraftKings Showdown. • Jameson Williams, WR, DET – Sub-4.3 speed vs. Ravens single-high looks; GPP upside. Prediction & best bet The Lions’ improved defense should slow Baltimore early, but Jackson’s legs tilt the field in the second half. With Van Noy sidelined, Detroit can stay within a score, yet the Ravens’ red-zone efficiency (8 TDs on 10 trips) proves decisive. Final score: Ravens 30, Lions 26 Best bet: Lions +4.5; sprinkle on OVER 53.5 in good weather.