Lions vs Cardinals Picks and Prediction – 9/22/2024

State Farm Stadium will play host to a Sunday afternoon NFL battle between the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals. For other NFL news see our NFL Picks. The Lions (1-1) are in 3rd place in the NFC North division and rank 17th in the league in team points per game at 21.0 points. Last week, Detroit only put 6 points on the scoreboard in the first half and then only 10 points in the 2nd half resulting in a 20-16 home loss versus Tampa Bay.

Detroit QB Jared Goff threw two interceptions and got a break when defenders dropped two other passes that could have been picked off. The Lions offense was only 1 of 7 in the red zone. Amon-Ra St. Brown had 11 receptions for 119 yards for the Lions, and Detroit's Aidan Hutchinson had three sacks in the first quarter and finished with a career-high five sacks.

The Arizona Cardinals (1-1) Quarterback Kyler Murray threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns, rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. caught his first two NFL touchdown passes and the Cardinals rolled past the Los Angeles Rams 41-10 on Sunday. The Cardinals Running Back James Conner ran for a five-yard score on the first drive of the third quarter, high-stepping into the end zone for a 31-3 lead. Conner finished with 122 yards rushing and the 29-year-old passed 5,000 yards on the ground for his career. Murray completed 17 of 21 passes and also ran for 59 yards. On defense the Cardinals had 5 sacks and 1 forced fumble. Dennis Gardeck had three sacks. Matt Prater booted two field goals, including one from 57 yards. 

The Detroit Lions are dealing with injuries to three starters on their defense and star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for this week's matchup. Kyler Murray found some confidence in his game and offense which should carry over to this game. The Cardinals will be able to keep the game close and cover the point spread against Detroit. Final Score Prediction, Arizona Cardinals win 23-21.