The NFC North was highly competitive last season, with every team winning at least nine games. Despite this, the Vikings and the Lions missed the playoffs. The question now is whether the Lions can secure a playoff berth this year.
Last Season Overview
The Lions started strong last season. They faced an early loss to the Packers and, later, the Chiefs, marking their only defeats in the first seven weeks. However, their performance faltered after the bye week, resulting in a 4-6 record across their final ten games. Notably, only one of these losses was by more than one score, indicating potential for improvement this season.
Offseason Changes
Offensively, the Lions experienced changes with Ben Johnson leaving for the Bears. They responded by bringing in Drew Petzing as the new offensive coordinator. The team made adjustments to their offensive line and decided to trade David Montgomery to the Texans. They brought in Isiah Pacheco as Montgomery’s replacement. While Pacheco isn’t as physical as Montgomery, this shift gives the Lions different strategic options. The team also extended contracts for a couple of players, although there were no major shifts elsewhere.
Current Roster
The Lions seem confident that minor tweaks could lead to playoff contention. With David Montgomery’s departure, Jahmyr Gibbs is expected to take on a more central role. Amon-Ra St. Brown remains a standout wide receiver, frequently connecting with quarterback Jared Goff. The Lions’ offense, supported by a robust offensive line, could be powerful. On defense, health is crucial, especially for players like Aidan Hutchinson. While the secondary might be a concern, the overall defensive unit should hold up well.
Betting Insights
The Lions have a projected win total of 10.5 games with a favorable schedule. Betting on them to win the division at +170 looks enticing, particularly given their potentially softer schedule compared to the Bears and Packers. They might only need to surpass the Vikings, who face a quarterback dilemma. Additionally, betting on three wins out of their first five games at +170 is worth considering. The Lions face the Saints, Bills, Jets, Panthers, and Cardinals, with home games against the Saints and Jets appearing winnable. I also like Amon-Ra St. Brown to exceed 1,249.5 receiving yards, as he has done for the past three years.
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