Lions vs Saints Prediction and Preview - NFL Week 1, 2026
Last updated: Sep 13, 2026, 5:03PM | Published: Aug 30, 2026, 5:00PM
The Detroit Lions will face the New Orleans Saints in NFL Week 1 action at Ford Field on Monday, starting at 3:00am AEST.
This article features Stats Insider's prediction and tips for the Lions vs Saints game, along with the latest betting odds and touchdown scorer tips.
Who Will Win?
Using trusted machine learning and data, Stats Insider has simulated the result of Monday's Detroit vs New Orleans NFL game 10,000 times.
Our leading predictive analytics model currently gives the Lions a 73% chance of winning against the Saints in Week 1 of the NFL season.
Lions vs Saints: Odds
The current Bet365 betting odds in Australia for Monday's NFL game at Ford Field are shown below:
- Head to Head: Lions $1.30, Saints $3.65
- Line: Lions -7 ($1.91), Saints +7 ($1.91)
- Total (Over/Under 49.5 Points): Over $1.91, Under $1.91
Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Looking at the latest head-to-head odds, Bet365 currently has the Lions at $1.30 and the Saints at $3.65.
The Lions are listed as 7-point favourites against the Saints, with odds of $1.91 available at Bet365.
For the underdog Saints (+7) to cover the line, Bet365 offers odds of $1.91.
The over/under for total points scored is set at 49.5 with Bet365, which has odds of $1.91 for the over and $1.91 for the under.
According to Stats Insider's analytics model, the bookies have got it right and both the Lions and the Saints have a 50% chance of covering the line.
The 49.5-point over/under is expected to go over 52% of the time.
Lions vs Saints: Best Bets
- Head to Head: New Orleans at $3.65 with Bet365
- Line: Saints +7 at $1.91 with Bet365
- Total Points: Over 49.5 at $1.91 with Bet365
Our Lions vs Saints predictions are based on detailed modelling and betting expertise to bring you the best possible advice around the clock.
While the Lions have a higher chance of winning the game, betting on the Saints to win is our recommended option due to the edge identified when comparing our data-driven probabilities to the odds currently on offer.
Making use of the edges published here at Stats Insider is crucial to being a profitable punter in the long run.
Lions vs Saints: Prediction
Stats Insider's predicted final score for Lions vs Saints at Ford Field in Week 1 is the Lions winning 28-21.
This prediction is based on each team's average score from 10,000 game simulations.
Stats Insider provides full betting coverage of the Detroit vs New Orleans game in Week 1, including data-driven predictions and top betting tips.
18+. Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.Lions vs Saints: TD Scorer Tips
Who will score an anytime touchdown in Lions vs Saints? The latest data is in.
According to Stats Insider, Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs is the most likely player to score the first TD in Lions vs Saints.
Gibbs has a 17.7% chance of getting in for six first at Ford Field, while the Lions RB has a 65.8% chance of scoring an anytime touchdown.
Scroll down for our complete list of first touchdown scorer and anytime touchdown scorer probabilities.
First Touchdown Scorer Tips
Lions First TD Tips
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 17.7% probability
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: 10.7% probability
- Jameson Williams: 7.1% probability
- Sam LaPorta: 7.0% probability
- Isaac TeSlaa: 3.2% probability
Saints First TD Tips
- Travis Etienne: 11.1% probability
- Chris Olave: 8.4% probability
- Juwan Johnson: 5.5% probability
- Devaughn Vele: 4.6% probability
- Tyler Shough: 3.8% probability
Anytime Touchdown Scorer Tips
Lions Anytime TD Tips
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 65.8% probability
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: 47.8% probability
- Jameson Williams: 35.2% probability
- Sam LaPorta: 34.4% probability
- Isaac TeSlaa: 17.6% probability
Saints Anytime TD Tips
- Travis Etienne: 44.9% probability
- Chris Olave: 36.2% probability
- Juwan Johnson: 25.5% probability
- Devaughn Vele: 22.0% probability
- Tyler Shough: 18.3% probability
Lions-Saints Projected Player Stats
Of the starting quarterbacks, the Lions' Jared Goff is projected for 259 passing yards, while the Saints' Tyler Shough is expected to throw for 246 yards.
Lions Starting QB
- Jared Goff: 259 projected passing yards
Saints Starting QB
- Tyler Shough: 246 projected passing yards
Lions Rushing Yards
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 86 projected yards
- Jacob Saylors: 20 projected yards
- Jared Goff: 3 projected yards
Saints Rushing Yards
- Travis Etienne: 61 projected yards
- Tyler Shough: 21 projected yards
- Kendre Miller: 14 projected yards
Lions Receiving Yards
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: 82 projected yards
- Jameson Williams: 61 projected yards
- Sam LaPorta: 47 projected yards
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 34 projected yards
- Isaac TeSlaa: 24 projected yards
Saints Receiving Yards
- Chris Olave: 81 projected yards
- Juwan Johnson: 46 projected yards
- Devaughn Vele: 46 projected yards
- Travis Etienne: 20 projected yards
- Barion Brown: 16 projected yards
Our model updates frequently, so bookmark this page for the latest betting predictions before the Detroit vs New Orleans match-up.
As always, see our Best Bets to get the best tips for every NFL game, plus predictions for a wide range of other sports.
Lions vs Saints: Week 1 Essential Details
The NFL Week 1 match-up between the Lions and Saints at Ford Field is scheduled to start at 3:00am AEST on Monday.
- Teams: Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints
- Date: Monday 14 September 2026
- Time: 3:00am AEST
- Venue: Ford Field
All dates and times in this article are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), unless otherwise stated.
Conclusion
Our Detroit vs New Orleans predictions are based on 10,000 data-driven simulations of the game, all curated by our team of experienced data scientists and analysts. We use cutting-edge technology and machine learning to ensure our NFL tips are trustworthy and reliable, so that you can make informed decisions with confidence.
If you choose to use our predictions for betting purposes, it's vital to gamble responsibly and manage your finances effectively. For free and confidential support, call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
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