Detroit Lions NFL Betting
For the first time in three decades, there’s reason to be excited if you are a fan of the Detroit Lions. There is no need to write them off as the Motor City Kitties any longer as Dan Campbell is the man for the job. Detroit showed a lot of heart on Hard Knocks, and the Lions washed away a 1-6 start to finish with a winning record. They have a real shot to win their first playoff game since 1992 next season, and they got to be the ultimate spoiler at the end of the 2022 campaign, beating the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football to keep Green Bay out of the playoffs.
Detroit Lions 2022 Season Recap
Jared Goff had an excellent season under center for the Detroit Lions, and he will probably be signed to a short-term extension in the offseason. Detroit had a top five offense, averaging 26.5 PPG and 380.0 YPG. Goff isn’t a top five, or even top ten, quarterback in the league, but he proved he can thrive in the right system once again.
A very good offensive line only allowed Goff to be sacked 23 times in 17 games. Frank Ragnow was the only player selected to play in the Pro Bowl, but tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker were both outstanding. Sewell might be the best right tackle in the league, and he is still on a rookie contract for three more years.
Goff completed 65.1% of his passes for 4,438 yards (7.6 YPA) with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Once again, Amon-Ra St. Brown was his top receiver with 106 receptions for 1,161 yards and six touchdowns, and he may be in line for a contract extension as a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Kalif Raymond was the second-leading receiver with 47 receptions for 616 yards, and D.J. Chark was a deep ball threat (16.7 YPC) when healthy.
The ground game had a lot of success too. Jamaal Williams ran for 1,066 yards and a league-high 17 touchdowns. Williams was 100-1 to lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns at the start of the season, as he was expected to be a backup to D’Andre Swift in the Motor City. However, Campbell liked to roll with Williams in the red zone, and that led to a big year for him.
Meanwhile, Swift was a very explosive runner and receiver out of the backfield. He ran for 542 yards (5.5 YPC) and five touchdowns, and he caught 48 passes for 389 yards (8.1 YPR) and three touchdowns.
Detroit will need to greatly improve on the defensive side of the ball if it wants to be a playoff contender in 2023. The Lions have drafted well here as Jeff Okudah had a breakout season in 2022, and No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson came on strong at the end of the year. Hutchinson ended the season with a team-high 9.5 sacks, and he also had three interceptions.
Unfortunately, the Lions ranked 28th in scoring defense (25.1 PPG) and dead last in the league in total defense (392.4 YPG) and yards per play (6.2 YPP). Sixth-round pick Malcolm Rodriguez looks to be a solid tackler, and that’s big considering the front seven doesn’t have a lot of talent.
It was fun to watch the Lions come together over the course of the season. Despite the 1-6 start, it felt like a breakout was inevitable after the Lions came close to knocking off Philadelphia, Minnesota, Seattle, and Miami. Detroit will look back on a tough Week 16 loss to Carolina as a game changer though as the Lions would be in the postseason if they would have beat the Panthers.
Detroit Lions Schedule & Results
The Lions get zero prime time telecasts in the 2022 season. Detroit has not been attractive enough for the networks to want to feature in valuable time slots. Thus, this season, Detroit will want to re-establish credibility. If the Lions can become respectable, they’ll get back on prime time next year.
Detroit Lions Past Seasons (2000)
YEAR |
RECORD |
PLAYOFFS |
2022 |
9-8 |
None |
2021 |
3-13-1 |
None |
2020 |
6-10 |
None |
2019 |
3-12-1 |
None |
2018 |
6-10 |
None |
2017 |
9-7 |
None |
2016 |
9-7 |
Lost Wild Card Round |
2015 |
7-9 |
None |
2014 |
11-5 |
Lost Wild Card Round |
2013 |
7-9 |
None |
2012 |
4-12 |
None |
2011 |
10-6 |
Lost Wild Card Round |
2010 |
6-10 |
None |
2009 |
2-14 |
None |
2008 |
0-16 |
None |
2007 |
7-9 |
None |
2006 |
3-13 |
None |
2005 |
5-11 |
None |
2004 |
6-10 |
None |
2003 |
5-11 |
None |
2002 |
3-13 |
None |
2001 |
2-14 |
None |
2000 |
9-7 |
None |
Founded in 1932, the Detroit Lions have a lot of history, though most of it is for their ineptitude. Once upon a time, the Lions were a power franchise in the NFL.
From 1952 through 1957, the Lions won three NFL championships. Unfortunately for Detroit, that last title in 1957 is not remembered except for its elderly fans. Detroit has never made the Super Bowl since the game's inception in the 1966 season.
The Lions may not have a lot of championships, but they have had many memorable star players through the years. Bobby Layne was the Lions' quarterback in their 1950s era of glory.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Lions had some tough teams that were pretty good, including its 1970 playoff team. Those teams had big-name stars such as cornerback Lem Barney, defensive tackle Alex Karras, cornerback Dick LeBeau, linebacker Joe Schmidt, center Ed Flanigan, kicker Errol Mann, and tight end Charlie Sanders.
The Lions were such an attractive team in that era they were featured in a major motion picture. Alan Alda starred in Paper Lion as the writer that tried out for the team and chronicled his training camp experience in a book.
In later years the Lions had to of the most exciting running backs in NFL history. Billy Sims and Barry Sanders electrified fans and gamblers with their exploits.
In 1991 the Lions had their closest shot at a Super Bowl. Detroit made the NFC championship game but was eliminated by the eventual champion Washington Redskins.
Wayne Fontes was the coach of that Lions team and led Detroit to the playoffs four times from 1991 through 1995.
Since 2000 the Lions have made the NFL playoffs just three times. Their last appearance was in 2016.
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