Week 12 opening odds: Lions huge road favorites vs. Colts

The opening betting lines for Week 12 have been released and the Detroit Lions are huge road favorites over the Indianapolis Colts.

The Detroit Lions (9-1) are on the road again in Week 12, traveling a few hours southwest to take on the Indianapolis Colts (5-6). While both teams are coming off wins, the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook have tabbed Detroit as heavy favorites in this game with the betting line being set at Lions -7.5 points.

The Lions are on an absolute tear right now. They’re off to their best start to a season since 1934, have won their last eight games, and just put up back-to-back home games where they scored 52 points (the fourth team in NFL history to accomplish this). In their 52-6 win over the Jaguars, they set franchise records in margin of victory (+46), total net yards (644), and most first downs (38).

Quarterback Jared Goff eclipsed 400+ yards passing (only the fifth time in Lions history), finished the game with a perfect 158.3 passer rating (the second time in his career), and is the only player in NFL history to do both in the same game. Wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown (161) and Jameson Williams (124) each set career-high receiving yards in a single-game mark, and safety Kerby Joseph secured another interception and now leads the NFL with seven.

Over their eight-game win streak, the Lions have won games in multiple ways: with a powerful rushing attack, shredding secondaries through the air, behind strong defensive performances, with mainly their special teams, and sometimes all of these things happening at the same time. They’re arguably the most balanced team in the NFL.

The Colts have not been quite as consistent, and are hoping their recent win over the Jets will help them take a step in a positive direction.

The Colts were 4-3 heading into their Week 8 game against the Texans , when second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson temporarily removed himself from the game due to “needing a breather,” which caused a dramatic reaction from the coaching staff. Head coach Shane Steichen felt Richardson’s actions necessitated a response, opting to bench Richardson and hand the reins over to 39-year-old Joe Flacco. The results were uninspiring, as the Colts lost to the Vikings and Bills with Flacco under center, prompting them to turn back to Richardson in Week 11 against the Jets.

Reports out of Indianapolis were that Richardson responded well to his benching, approached the last two weeks with maturity, and was ready to lead the team again. Richardson delivered on Sunday, completing 20 of 30 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 32 yards and scoring two touchdowns, including the game-winner in the final minute of play.

Coming off what was arguably Richardson’s best game of his young career, have the Colts finally unlocked Richardson’s intangibles? Or was this performance a bit overblown considering the circumstances and with the win coming against a 3-8 Jets team? We’ll find out this Sunday.