How to watch Raiders-Lions game on ‘MNF,’ betting odds
The Raiders (3-4) make their second consecutive trip to the Midwest to take on an NFC North opponent, this time in front of a national TV audience when they play the Lions (5-2) on “Monday Night Football.”
The Raiders will hope their performance is more fitting for prime time as they look to bounce back from a dreadful loss last week in Chicago.
Game information
Who: Raiders at Lions
When: 5:15 p.m. Monday
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
TV: KTNV-13, ESPN (Joe Buck, play-by-play; Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, analysts)
Radio: KRLV-AM (920), KOMP-FM (92.3) (Jason Horowitz, play-by-play; Lincoln Kennedy, analyst)
Line: Lions -8; total 46
Series history
The Lions have won four of the past five meetings but still trail 7-6 in a series that dates to 1970.
Last meeting
Rookie Hunter Renfrow caught a 9-yard touchdown pass with 2:04 remaining to help the Raiders snap a four-game losing streak in the series with a 31-24 victory in Oakland on Nov. 3, 2019. Josh Jacobs added 120 yards and two scores on the ground, and tight end Foster Moreau found the end zone on a reception. All four touchdowns were scored by players the Raiders drafted that year.
Bold predictions
1. Davante Adams will break his career high of 140 receiving yards against the Lions, which was set at Ford Field in 2018 and was his best mark in 13 previous meetings when he was a member of the Packers.
2. Rookie tight ends Michael Mayer and Sam LaPorta, selected with back-to-back picks in April’s draft, will each score a touchdown.
3. Cornerback Marcus Peters, who faced severe backlash online for a perceived lack of effort on a few missed tackles against the Bears, will make a big hit and force a fumble.
Matchups to watch
1. Raiders right tackles vs. Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Thayer Munford and Jermaine Eluemunor continue to split snaps at right tackle, but Munford is the one to watch. A clip of Michigan’s Hutchinson running over Ohio State’s Munford when they were in college went viral shortly before the 2022 NFL draft. It’s a matchup Munford has been waiting for since the clip began circulating online.
2. Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams vs. Lions secondary. Jimmy Garoppolo is going to look to get Adams involved early and often. The narrative about Garoppolo not targeting Adams enough has been growing louder, to the point that the quarterback has to be getting sick of it. Detroit’s defensive backs will need to be aware of Adams at all times.
3. Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby vs. Lions right tackle Penei Sewell. Crosby returns to the area to play his first NFL game in Detroit, just down the road from where he went to college at Eastern Michigan. He also has to do it amid discussion that Hutchinson might be on his level in terms of the league’s best edge defenders. Crosby loves the spotlight and operates best with a point to prove. Sewell has emerged as an elite right tackle, but he’ll have his hands full.
When the Lions have the ball
The difference between Jared Goff at home and Jared Goff on the road is staggering. Since joining the Lions in 2021, he has 43 touchdowns and eight turnovers with a passer rating of 105.9 in 20 home games. He has 16 touchdowns to 19 turnovers and an 85.3 rating in 18 road games. Goff isn’t alone on the offense.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the league’s top receivers and leads a talented group of pass catchers that includes breakout rookie tight end Sam LaPorta. First-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs is starting to find his role in the backfield, too. This is a stiff challenge for a Raiders defense that struggled to make a tackle last week.
When the Raiders have the ball
Starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo returns from a back injury after backup Brian Hoyer struggled in relief in the ugly loss at Chicago. Garoppolo hasn’t exactly torched defenses this season, but he does have a winning record as a starter for the Raiders and believes he was finally starting to turn the offense in the right direction when he was knocked out of the Patriots game.
The task remains the same. The Raiders need to figure out a way to get Josh Jacobs and the running game going and must find opportunities for Davante Adams. Once they reach the red zone, they must finish drives with touchdowns.
Injury report
Raiders: DNP: K Daniel Carlson (right groin), LB Divine Deablo (ankle). LIMITED: CB Jakorian Bennett (shoulder/knee), LB Curtis Bolton (knee), DE Maxx Crosby (knee), CB Nate Hobbs (ankle), CB Marcus Peters (back). FULL: WR Davante Adams (shoulder), QB Jimmy Garoppolo (back), CB Tyler Hall (foot).
Lions: DNP: G Jonah Jackson (ankle), RB David Montgomery (ribs), C Frank Ragnow (toe/calf). LIMITED: DL Benito Jones (ankle), LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle), G Halapoulivaati Vaitai (back). FULL: CB Jerry Jacobs (knee).
Storyline
The season is in jeopardy of getting completely away from the Raiders. There is no more margin for error. Prime-time games in Detroit don’t happen often, and it’s even more rare that the Lions are a legitimate contender. The Ford Field crowd could be in an absolute frenzy, particularly on the eve of Halloween, which is traditionally a massive celebration in Detroit. The Raiders can’t allow themselves to get behind early.
The pick
Lions 31, Raiders 17
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.