Detroit Lions Odds

The Lions were able to get a playoff berth last season after multiple losing seasons. They didn’t make much if it, as they lost to the Saints in the wild card round. Will the Detroit Lions continue to improve or will they return to the bottom rungs of the NFL?

The Lions are another team that gets the luxury of a warm up test in Week 1, as they host the Rams. The spread favors the Lions at -10, and while a part of me wants to make the sneaky play and take points with St. Louis, I can’t come to do it. Instead, a play on the Lions’ team total might be in order. However, since those numbers aren’t out just yet, I think the game total might be a bit too high. 

Before they imploded because of injuries, the Rams’ defense was pretty solid. I still don’t think they will be able to score points, but the Rams might be able to stop a few people this season, They were 7^th in the NFL last season against the pass, and that is the only way the Lions can score. I think the under is the play. 

My Pick: UNDER 47

The Lions made the playoffs last season, but they don’t seem to be getting much love for it this offseason. They still have the best wide receiver in the NFL, but do the Lions have what it takes to win or even get back to the playoffs? A lot of buzz has been surrounding the Packers and Bears this offseason, and the little Lions have been cast aside almost.

Detroit is +2000 to win the Super Bowl, and their divisional rivals Chicago and Green Bay are either higher or similar favorites. So why have the Lions been getting no love?

Well for one, the Packers are still the clear favorites in the division. Even though they lost in their first playoff game last season, they still have Aaron Rodgers and a recent Super Bowl ring.

Another reason is the splashes the Bears are making in free agency. Chicago traded for their own number one receiver, and they got a great running back and several good cornerbacks. If the reports on a breakthrough in the Matt Forte contract talks are true, things aren’t looking good for the Lions in a much tougher NFC North this season.

Detroit has a great offense, but their defense is still suspect. They can get after the quarterback with the best of them, but their defense against the run and the pass aren’t as good as they could be. Detroit might not make the playoffs in 2012.

There have been a lot of offseason moves and news surrounding Detroit, and in this opening blog I’ll take a look at the upcoming schedule, Detroit’s draft picks and other offseason news for the Lions.

2012 schedule 

The Lions went 10-6 last season and started the season at 5-0, a huge step for a team recently removed from the worst season of football the NFL has ever seen. This season’s schedule won’t be as easy to start, as the Lions first five wins were all against teams that did not make the playoffs. Can the Lions be this season's Cinderella story, and what are the Lions doing to improve their shot at a Super Bowl Title?

This season, the Lions start their season against the Rams, but then they have to go on the road to San Francisco, Tennessee, Philadelphia and Chicago in four of their next five games. 

On top of that, the Lions have games against Houston and Atlanta at home. If they get to 9-7 this season, I would be surprised. Detroit does have only five games against last season’s playoff teams, but the two games against the Bears will be like playoff games, and their early schedule might hurt their playoff chances if they don’t come in ready to play. 

Draft

The Lions got eight picks in the draft this season, and with their first pick, (23^rd overall) the Lions got Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff. Reiff was the second best rated tackle in the draft, and the Lions seem to think they got a big steal in him. Reiff is a huge 6’6 and 316 pounds, but is fairly athletic for a guy his size. With the history Matt Stafford has had with injuries, some big bodies to keep him upright were obviously a priority. 

After Reiff, the Lions got Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles in the second round. However, after the two offensive players in rounds one and two, the Lions went all defense in their last six picks. For a team that was below average against the run and pass, and finished 23^rd in the league in points allowed per game. 

Offseason news 

There have been a few stories around the Lions heading into mandatory mini camps this week, and most have not been too positive. Some more recent news surrounds defensive lineman Nick Fairly and his recent run in with the law. Fairly was arrested last week when he was pulled over on suspicion of DUI. Even though his shouldn’t affect his status for the start of the season or even the preseason, it is probably hurting the Lions and their image more than anything. Fairly is still a young player, and I’m sure he will get a lesson in humility and maturity from the organization and his teammates. 

Other than Fairly, another defensive lineman for Detroit is making news. Defensive end Cliff Avril says he will skip mini camp, which is mandatory. However, Avril has yet to sign his franchise tender offer worth $10.6 million. He has until July 16^th to sign a long-term deal, or he will have to settle for one year and ten million bucks. Settling just doesn’t seem like the correct term.