
Detroit have conceded 17 touchdowns, more than any team in the NFL, and allow opponents 52.8% on third down, also the worst mark in the league. Our Lions vs Cardinals prediction explains how they are still 2-2.
They score. The Detroit Lions have 119 points and a 108.6 passer rating, and they have simply been outscoring the damage. The Arizona Cardinals are 1-3, have conceded 15 touchdowns of their own, and allow a 114.9 opponent rating.
Lions vs Cardinals: our editor’s props
Two editorial selections to sit with the live Signal read below.
Our props
An editorial call, not a Signal model output. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Lions vs Cardinals: 2026 form so far
Two defenses that have stopped very little, and one offense considerably better than the other. The table puts each attack against what the opposite side allows.
Lions attack against the Cardinals defense
| Per game | Lions offense | Cardinals allow |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 287.2 | 233.8 |
| Rushing yards | 102.0 | 117.5 |
| Yards per carry | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Passer rating | 108.6 | 114.9 |
| Touchdowns | 3.5 | 3.8 |
| Third-down conversion | 39.1% | 45.5% |
| Red-zone conversion | 72.2% | 69.2% |
| Sacks conceded / recorded | 2.0 | 2.0 |
Cardinals attack against the Lions defense
| Per game | Cardinals offense | Lions allow |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 194.2 | 304.0 |
| Rushing yards | 100.5 | 119.8 |
| Yards per carry | 3.9 | 4.4 |
| Passer rating | 83.2 | 110.4 |
| Touchdowns | 2.2 | 4.2 |
| Third-down conversion | 39.3% | 52.8% |
| Red-zone conversion | 57.1% | 82.4% |
| Sacks conceded / recorded | 1.8 | 3.8 |
Figures are season to date, across 4 games.
Seventeen touchdowns conceded is the most in the league, and a 52.8% third-down conversion rate against is also the worst. Detroit have covered it with points, which works until it meets a defense that can do the same.
Lions vs Cardinals quarterback matchup
Detroit rate 108.6 through the air to Arizona’s 83.2, a 25.4-point gap and the second widest in this week’s NFC games.
| Team | Quarterback | Last game | Season to date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | Jared Goff | 25/32, 269 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT, 122.5 rtg | 109/161, 1214 yds, 9 TD, 0 INT, 108.6 rtg (4 games) |
| Cardinals | Jacoby Brissett | 38/52, 280 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT, 98.2 rtg | 103/152, 818 yds, 6 TD, 4 INT, 83.2 rtg (4 games) |
Lions vs Cardinals injury report and team news
James Conner is on injured reserve for Arizona, as is Trey Benson, leaving Jeremiyah Love to carry the backfield.
Aidan Hutchinson has three sacks in a Detroit front that has recorded 15, second-most in the NFL.
Trey McBride has 33 receptions for Arizona, third-most of any player in the league.
Two defenses that cannot get off the field
Detroit’s offense is genuine. A 108.6 team passer rating, 1,149 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and a 72.2% red-zone conversion rate make them one of the better attacks in football, and Jahmyr Gibbs has 353 rushing yards on top of it.
Their defense has been the opposite. Seventeen touchdowns and 1,216 passing yards conceded, a 52.8% third-down rate against, 82.4% of opponent red-zone trips finished. Fifteen sacks say the pass rush works; everything behind it has not.
Arizona are not equipped to punish that as much as they should be. They rate 83.2 through the air and have conceded 15 touchdowns themselves, so this becomes a question of which bad defense faces the better offense. On that, it is not close.
Players to watch
- Jahmyr Gibbs (DET, RB): 353 rushing yards, joint fifth in the NFL.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET, WR): 303 receiving yards from 31 catches, fifth in the league for receptions.
- Trey McBride (ARI, TE): 33 receptions, third-most of any player in the NFL.
- Michael Wilson (ARI, WR): 258 receiving yards from 25 catches for Arizona.
How to watch Lions vs Cardinals
Kickoff is 4:25 PM ET on Sunday, October 11 at State Farm Stadium, which is 3:25 PM CT and 1:25 PM PT. FOX has the regional broadcast.
| Detail | Lions vs Cardinals |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, October 11, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 4:25 PM ET / 3:25 PM CT / 1:25 PM PT |
| Venue | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ |
| TV | FOX |
| Live stream | NFL+ / Fubo |
| Week | Week 5, 2026 NFL season |
Lions vs Cardinals prediction and score projection
Detroit win 27-20. The Lions concede more than anyone, but they also score more than Arizona can, and that has been enough in three of four games.
Signal’s live win probability for this game will move once the designations land.
Every Week 5 game, previewed
| Kickoff (ET) | Game | Our prediction | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 8:15 PM | Buccaneers @ Cowboys | Cowboys 27-20 | Read |
| Sun 9:30 AM | Eagles @ Jaguars | Jaguars 24-17 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Bears @ Packers | Bears 24-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Bengals @ Dolphins | Bengals 27-16 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Browns @ Jets | Browns 20-17 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Texans @ Titans | Texans 19-16 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Colts @ Steelers | Steelers 21-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Raiders @ Patriots | Raiders 23-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Vikings @ Saints | Vikings 26-17 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Giants @ Commanders | Giants 24-17 | Read |
| Sun 4:05 PM | Broncos @ Chargers | Broncos 23-17 | Read |
| Sun 4:25 PM | Lions @ Cardinals | Lions 27-20 | You are here |
| Sun 4:25 PM | 49ers @ Seahawks | Seahawks 24-21 | Read |
| Sun 8:20 PM | Ravens @ Falcons | Ravens 26-20 | Read |
| Mon 8:15 PM | Bills @ Rams | Bills 27-23 | Read |
You can find NFL predictions for the round alongside our NFL hub. The outright markets are priced in the NFC board. We price the player markets in prop markets for this game.
Lions vs Cardinals FAQ
Detroit. The Lions are 2-2 with 119 points scored; Arizona are 1-3 and have been outscored by 30.
4:25 PM ET on Sunday, October 11, at State Farm Stadium.
They have conceded 17 touchdowns and allow 52.8% on third down, both the worst marks in the NFL.
No. Conner is on injured reserve, as is Trey Benson.
21+ | Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER | Signal probabilities and odds approximate at time of writing and subject to change