NFL Football
2026-10-11 - Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 5
Sunday 11th October 2026 - Scheduled 4:25pm EST
9:25pm (British Time)
Preview
Both teams are trying to bounce back from disappointing defeats in Week 4 of the 2026 season, but the Arizona Cardinals (1-3) have now dropped three in a row after the opening Week upset.
They are hosting the Detroit Lions (2-2) who have made a mixed start to the season and that is thanks to an underperforming Defensive unit.
There are aspects of the Lions Defense that is to be liked, but this is a team that have so many injuries to deal with right now and that has meant it has become that much tougher to stall drives. Every team that has faced Detroit this season has scored at least 24 points and the Arizona Cardinals may feel they can do the same.
It will mean making an improvement on this side of the ball, but the Cardinals will be going into Week 5 with Marvin Harrison Jr inactive as they look to finalise a trade for the Wide Receiver. That will be a blow to the Offensive unit, although Harrison Jr has not been playing as well as the Cardinals would have hoped.
Jacoby Brissett will continue to lead the Cardinals from the Quarter Back position, but he will be hoping the team can remain competitive enough to be able to lean on the run game. The Offensive Line have opened up some decent holes up front and the Cardinals will take encouragement from the way the Lions have performed at the Line of Scrimmage on this side of the ball.
Moving the ball on the ground and keeping the team in front of the chains will cool down the Detroit pass rush, but any time the Cardinals are in third and long spots, the Lions will be looking to get after Jacoby Brissett.
Arizona fans will note that there is room for improvement in the passing game in general, but they will be aided by the performances produced by the Detroit Secondary. If they are in third and manageable spots on the field, Jacoby Brissett will be able to make some big throws down the field, although the key is managing the mistakes and avoiding turnovers that may allow the Detroit Lions to build up some real momentum.
The Lions should have consistent success on the Offensive side of the ball, although they are going to be looking for a bit more balance.
This will begin with the Offensive Line being able to perform with a bit more authority at the Line of Scrimmage and try and get the run game producing at a more efficient level. Doing so will ease the pressure on Jared Goff at Quarter Back, who has been playing well, but, like any Quarter Back, does not want to be operating a one-dimensional attack.
He should get some time when he steps back to throw the ball considering the lack of a pass rush that the Cardinals have produced, and Jared Goff should be able to find some big plays down the field. Doing so with a running game to back him up is the key to any sustainable success, but in this game, Detroit should be able to score enough points to cover the handicap set.
Nothing ever comes easily when your own Defensive unit is struggling like Detroit's has been, but Arizona have lost their way a little bit since the opening week upset and that could allow the Lions to force a win by a Touchdown mark.
Prediction
Lay the points with the road favourite in a game where both NFC rivals are looking to bounce back from another defeat.
The Pick :
Arizona Cardinals 24-31 Detroit Lions
