Detroit Lions NFL Betting Lines - Football Odds

Detroit Lions NFL Betting Online

The Super Bowl window remains wide open for the Detroit Lions, who aim to build on a strong 2023-24 season that saw them just one win short of reaching the big game for the first time in franchise history. The team's progress was evident as they not only qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2016 but also advanced through the Wild Card and Division Rounds. They gave the San Francisco 49ers a tough fight in the NFC title game, ultimately falling 34-31 as 7.5-point underdogs according to the closing NFL odds. With key players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jared Goff, and Penei Sewell secured for multiple seasons during the offseason, the Lions' trajectory continues to rise under head coach Dan Campbell, who has revitalized the team since taking over in 2021.

Boasting a top-5 offensive attack and an improved defense that allowed 2+ points per game fewer than the previous season while excelling against the run (No. 2), the Lions focused on addressing their main weakness: pass defense. Last season, Detroit allowed nearly 248 passing yards (No. 27) and 1.7 passing touchdowns (No. 27) per game. To tackle this, the Lions selected Alabama CB Terrion Arnold in the first round and Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second round of the NFL Draft, hoping to bolster their secondary and improve overall depth. With defensive standouts DE Aidan Hutchinson and LB Alex Anzalone returning, and upgraded help from new additions DE Marcus Davenport and CB Carlton Davis, significant defensive improvement is expected. This bolstered defense positions the Lions as bona fide contenders to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the conclusion of Super Bowl LIX.

NFL Betting Lines

The Lions demonstrated their legitimacy by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 21-20 in Arrowhead Stadium as 4-point underdogs to kick off the season. Their improved run defense was evident immediately, allowing just 90 yards and 3.9 yards per carry to the Chiefs' running backs, with Patrick Mahomes being the team's leading rusher through scrambles. It wasn't until Week 7 that an opponent surpassed 100 rushing yards against DC Aaron Glenn's defense, and not until Week 11 that a single player achieved that mark. Only two teams conceded fewer than the 3.8 yards per carry that Detroit allowed last season. With reinforcements like Marcus Davenport and NT D.J. Reader, who was a top run stuffer for the Bengals, the Lions are poised to build on this success. Both players will also contribute to a pass rush that managed just 41 sacks (No. 23). With improvements in the back-seven, Hutchinson and his teammates are expected to at least reach league-average production in the sack department. If they exceed expectations, the Lions' defense will no longer be a liability.

Detroit's offense was one of the best, consistently dominating opposing defenses for nearly 395 yards (No. 3) and over 27 points (No. 5) per game. They scored a point every 14.4 yards gained (No. 9) and were second only to the Niners in red zone efficiency when it came to punching it in for six (2.5). Jared Goff recently signed a 4-year, $212M contract extension after churning out 4,575 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, leading a passing attack that averaged over 258 yards per game (No. 2). The Lions' receiving corps, including Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta, is among the best, making them popular picks in the player props market. Kalif Raymond and Jameson Williams also add depth, with Williams showing significant improvement in OTAs. The offense is anchored by FTN Fantasy’s top-ranked offensive line, which has consistently dominated opposing fronts. With such a seasoned and talented unit, the sky's the limit for this offense in 2024-25.

Last season, Detroit far exceeded oddsmakers' expectations by winning 12 regular season games, easily surpassing their 9.5-game win total in the process. However, this season's win total is set at 10.5, reflecting a tougher schedule. Detroit faces the twelfth toughest schedule according to Sharp Football Analysis, and the second toughest within their division. It gets nine games in the comforts of Ford Field, but five of eight road games come against teams currently favored to qualify for the playoffs at the online sportsbook. Save for the season finale against the Vikings at home, the back half of the schedule looks to be a bear with games scheduled to go against @Green Bay, @Houston, Jacksonville, @Indianapolis, Chicago, Green Bay, Buffalo, @Chicago, and @San Francisco for a rematch of the NFC title game. Despite these challenges, the Lions are +1201 favorites to win the Lombardi Trophy and +114 to remain the Kings of the NFC North.

Detroit Lions Schedule & Results

Founded in 1932, the Detroit Lions have a long history, though much of it is marked by struggles. Once a powerhouse in the NFL, the Lions won three NFL championships from 1952 to 1957. Sadly for Detroit, their last title in 1957 is only a distant memory for their older fans, as the team has never appeared in a Super Bowl since its inception in 1966.

While championships have been scarce, the Lions have had many memorable star players over the years. Bobby Layne was the quarterback during their 1950s glory days. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Lions fielded competitive teams, including the 1970 playoff squad. These teams featured notable 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.

During this era, the Lions were so popular that they were featured in the major motion picture "Paper Lion," starring Alan Alda, based on a writer's experience trying out for the team and chronicling his training camp journey in a book. In later years, the Lions boasted two of the most electrifying running backs in NFL history: Billy Sims and Barry Sanders, who thrilled fans and gamblers alike with their dynamic performances.

In 1991, the Lions came closest to a Super Bowl appearance, making it to the NFC Championship game before being eliminated by the eventual champion Washington Redskins. Wayne Fontes coached that Lions team and led them to the playoffs four times between 1991 and 1995. Since 2000, the Lions have made the NFL playoffs only four times, but the most recent appearance in 2023 looks to be one of many more with Dan Campbell navigating a ship that’s stocked with some of the league’s most talented and impactful players.

Detroit Lions Past Seasons (2000)

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