Lions hoping to bounce back with a roar: 2014 win total
For the past five years, the Detroit Lions have been everyone’s pick to finally have a breakthrough season. However, tough NFC Central foes along with inconsistency have kept the Lions from making good on the promise, let alone a playoff run.
Offensively speaking, new Coach Jim Caldwell has to like what he sees out of Matthew Stafford and company ranking 3rd in passing and 17th in rushing during the 2013 season. Now the team has added top draft pick TE Eric Ebron into the mix to take some of the heat off Calvin Johnson.
Regarding the defense, which was 6th against the rush but only 23rd against the pass last season, newly drafted linebacker Kyle Van Noy will hopefully help plug some holes.
Looking to this season, the Lions face five playoff teams with an overall schedule featuring opponents boasting a .492 winning percentage last year (the 16th hardest in the league). Also, the Lions play two sets of back-to-back road games, as well as make a trip to London.
Oddsmakers have the Lions at 8 for o/u wins with the over paying out at -150. Considering Stafford’s inconsistency and the team’s shaky defense, it’s not hard to imagine Detroit taking a step back in Caldwell’s debut season.
John Benson is a die-hard football and basketball fan who also dabbles in the dark art of entertainment betting. With over two decades of experience in the sports writing and betting industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and a pint of wisdom to his diverse endeavors on SportsBettingDime.com.
