Buffalo’s new Highmark Stadium hosts its first Thursday Night Football game this week, and the Bills open their home schedule with a matchup against the Detroit Lions. The game carries a spread of Bills -5.5 and a total of 54.5 points. For those looking to bet on the game, FanDuel is pushing a promo code that delivers up to $350 in bonus bets for new customers who wager $5 or more over seven days.
The Offer at a Glance
New users who sign up through the promo code and place a $5+ bet each day for seven days earn up to $350 in bonus bets. That means the maximum payout comes from keeping the habit going across the full week, not just signing up and walking away. The offer applies to the Lions vs. Bills game on Thursday Night Football.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, backs the Over 54.5 at 57% probability. On the spread, the model gives Detroit a “B” grade on the money line but recommends playing it safe with the Lions covering at 51% in simulations.
Why the Over Is the Pick
Both teams showed weaknesses on defense in Week 1. Detroit gave up 24 points in the second half, barely winning when the Saints missed a two-point conversion in overtime. Buffalo, meanwhile, allowed 381 yards but still won in Houston, putting up 409 of its own.
The offenses are the reason the Over holds up. New Orleans piled up 469 total yards and 378 through the air behind second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. Buffalo’s Josh Allen led a unit that features James Cook and DJ Moore, while Detroit’s Jared Goff runs a group that includes Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
What the Model Says
The SportsLine model’s top grade goes to the Lions winning outright, though they do so only in 42% of simulations as sizable underdogs. The pick here avoids that risk by sticking to the spread, where the Lions cover in 51% of simulations.
| Pick | Spread / Total | Model Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Over 54.5 | — | 57% |
| Lions +5.5 | — | 51% |
| Bills -5.5 | — | Not graded separately |
The Lions’ Week 1 Performance
Detroit’s game against the Saints was close. Coach Dan Campbell was surely livid as he watched his team nearly lose a game it seemed to have in hand. Goff struggled a bit, throwing for just 202 yards despite playing through overtime.
But the running game carried the day. Gibbs led the way with 186 yards and two rushing touchdowns. St. Brown also scored twice, though Williams was relatively quiet with four catches for 45 yards. The model expects more shots to Williams downfield on Thursday.
Playing It Safe on the Spread
The model’s “B” grade on the Lions money line is the strongest signal in the pick set. But the recommendation lands on the spread, where Detroit covers in 51% of simulations.
That split is the core of the advice. The model likes the Lions to win outright, but it likes the spread even more.
Getting the Bonus Bets
The promo code requires a $5+ bet each day for seven days to unlock the full $350 in bonus bets. The bonus bets are available after meeting the wagering requirements.
Responsible Gaming Tools
FanDuel offers several tools for users concerned about gambling habits. Users can take timeouts, set deposit limits and use self-exclusion measures. The platform also provides contact information for helplines like 1-800-MY-RESET.
The Full Picks Set
SportsLine’s team of experts has against-the-spread, total and money-line picks for all games, including NFL, MLB, college football and more. Those picks come from the SportsLine Projection Model, which has simulated every game 10,000 times.
The Lions vs. Bills matchup is the featured game this week. The Over 54.5 and Lions +5.5 are the recommended bets, per the model.
Our Take on the Promo Code
A promo code offering up to $350 in bonus bets for a single NFL game feels like a carnival trick, not a serious financial decision. The offer is generous, and the model’s numbers back the Over and the Lions spread. But the structure — seven days of $5+ bets to get the full bonus — is a reminder that the promotion is designed to keep you around, not just reward a one-time sign-up.
The model’s splits are the interesting part. The Lions win outright in 42% of simulations, and the spread covers in 51%. The Over also carries a strong projection at 57%. Both teams showed porous defenses in Week 1, and the offensive firepower on both sides suggests the total will hit hard.
This is a good week to be a Lions fan, even if they are underdogs. The model likes them to win outright, and the spread gives them a better chance to cover than the outright win does.
The promo code is available at FanDuel. The bonus bets are available to anyone who meets the seven-day wagering requirement.
Source material: “Use FanDuel promo code to land $350 in bonus bets for Lions vs. Bills on NFL Thursday Night Football,” CBS Sports.
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