Betting on the Detroit Lions moneyline at -196 is the safest wager for this exhibition game. Head coach Dan Campbell announced that franchise quarterback Jared Goff will sit out this week. However, the Lions will play a “significant amount of starters” everywhere else on the roster to clean up early mistakes.

Detroit’s quarterback duties will be split evenly between veteran Josh Dobbs and rookie Luke Altmyer as they battle for the QB2 spot. Dobbs, who gets the start, provides an immediate edge in terms of experience and stability under center. Playing a veteran signal-caller alongside a starting offensive line gives Detroit a major schematic advantage in a home preseason setting.

Washington Commanders +4.5 (-110)

Taking the Washington Commanders to cover the +4.5 spread is the smartest choice for the game lines. Head coach Dan Quinn is also playing a “good amount” of his starters, but Washington faces an uphill battle due to a heavily depleted depth chart.

The Commanders are currently managing a massive wave of injuries, with key contributors like veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota, running back Rachaad White, and multiple defensive linemen ruled out. Because Washington is forced to lean heavily on depth players, their offense will likely stall out against Detroit’s starting defense. Detroit’s cohesive offensive line and running game should allow them to secure a comfortable win, but the spread remains tight enough for a late-game back-and-forth execution to favor the points.

Game Total Under 37.5 (-110)

The best overall bet on the board is the under on the 37.5 game total. Preseason games are notoriously low-scoring, and this matchup features several factors that point directly to a defensive battle.

Without Goff commanding the Lions’ explosive offense, the passing game will naturally look clunky as Dobbs and Altmyer adjust to real-game action. Meanwhile, the Commanders are completely missing Mariota and are heavily restricted by injuries at left tackle and running back. This lack of continuity will disrupt their offensive timing and limit big plays, making the under highly probable.