Rams-Lions Preview Capsule: Top prop players to watch

Is it possible we're staring at a potential playoff matchup when the Los Angeles Rams host the Detroit Lions today? It'll take some work on the Lions' part, but with how quirky this season has been, anything is possible.

The Lions are on the bubble, sitting in eighth place in the NFC, with the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears in front of them in the North Division.

The Rams, meanwhile, are the No. 1 seed in the NFC heading into Week 15, holding off the Packers. Los Angeles' sandwich home game before two more on the road is a critical one, especially with the Lions playing in desperation mode.

Let's also not forget the everlasting storyline of Jared Goff versus Matthew Stafford, who were swapped between these teams. Stafford's won his team a Super Bowl. Detroit is still waiting.

Here's a quick glance at Sunday's game:

TV: FOX

LAST TIME OUT: The Rams crushed the Cardinals in Arizona, 45-17; the Lions defeated the Cowboys, 44-30.

LAST MEETING: The Lions beat the Rams, 26-20, in overtime, on Sept. 8, 2024.

VEGAS LINE (courtesy Westgate): Rams -6 -108, O/U 55

BETTING TRENDS: The Lions have failed to cover three of their last four and arrive in Inglewood having split their six road games ATS. Detroit has landed over in its last three games. Los Angeles' winning surge has been fueled by a 7-1 SU win streak, while it's covered six of those games. The Rams have gone over in their last two, but have stayed under in three straight home games.

RAMS KEY PLAYERS: Stafford threw for 281 yards and three TDs for a 131.2 rating in last week's win over Arizona. Stafford boasts 35 TD passes versus only four interceptions this season. He's registered a TD pass in 13 straight games, tied for the longest active streak this season - with Goff. ... RB Kyren Williams had 84 yards rushing and a TD in the win over the Cardinals. He has 70 or more yards rushing with a rushing TD in five of his past six. ... WR Davante Adams has a TD catch in six of his past seven and leads the NFL with 14 receiving TDs this season.

PROP TO WATCH: Stafford under 290 yards passing (-105)

As much pride as Stafford will carry into a game against the team that drafted him, he's smart enough to know to rely on one of the most balanced attacks in football. Throwing for nearly 300 yards isn't necessary. The Lions have allowed more 290 yards passing just twice this season. The other 11 games? They've allowed 195.9 yards passing per game.

LIONS KEY PLAYERS: Goff completed 25-of-34 passes (73.5%) for 309 yards and a TD for a 111.0 rating last week. Goff ranks tied for second with 26 TD passes this season, and has registered a TD pass in 19 consecutive games dating back, the longest active streak in the NFL. ... RB Jahmyr Gibbs led the team with 120 scrimmage yards (77 receiving,  43 rushing) and three rushing TDs last week, marking his 13th-career game with two or more TDs. He's aiming for his sixth straight with 85 or more scrimmage yards. ... WR Amon-Ra St. Brown had six receptions for 96 yards in Week 14 and has recorded 511 career receptions, the most in NFL history through his first five seasons.

PROP TO WATCH: Gibbs first TD scorer (+600)

The price on Gibbs to score a TD anytime is near $2, and while it might be worth the juice, the price for him to be the first one to score is worth a shot. He's scored the game's first TD three times this season, and the second TD twice. If the Lions can get the first possession, they're going to look to pound the rock early and let Gibbs set the tone.