Oddsmakers believe appear to believe in Lions

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a third quarter pass against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Oddsmakers believe Lions will do something they haven't since 1993

By Alex Lang | Last updated 3/6/23

Vegas is on the Detroit Lions bandwagon.

New betting lines, including from OddsChecker and other sportsbooks, peg the Lions as the favorite to do something they’ve never done: win the NFC North. Detroit hasn't won a division title since 1993, when it won the NFC Central, which included Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Minnesota and Chicago.

Detroit, which appeared on HBO’s “Hard Knocks" last offseason, has momentum. Led by head coach Dan Campbell, the team finished 9-8 in 2022, winning eight of its last 10.

The Lions, who return most of their core, have two first-round draft picks and $23 million in cap space, per Spotrac. That leads Vegas to believe Detroit can win a wide-open division in 2023

The Lions must improve one of the league’s worst defenses to make the leap, and they can certainly add more talent given their offseason assets. Detroit has been linked to Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Eagles corner James Bradberry, a free agent.

An improved defense, coupled with a top-five offense, could spur Detroit to a division title.

OddsChecker has the Lions at +150 to win the division. Minnesota, last year’s division winner, is next at +300, but the Vikings, who went 11-0 in one-score games in 2022 — which is unlikely to happen again — are nearly $14 million over the cap and have many questions.

Green Bay (+310) could take a step back, especially if QB Aaron Rodgers departs. Chicago (+475) has the No. 1 overall pick and nearly $100 million in cap space, but can it go from worst to first in one year?

Winning the division would give the Lions, who haven't won a postseason game since 1991, a home playoff game.

Vegas oddsmakers not only believe the Lions can win the division. Per OddsChecker, Detroit has the fourth-best odds to win the NFC and make its first Super Bowl appearance.

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