The Detroit Lions had a dream season in 2024. It was a long time coming for the team that spent years in the NFL’s basement. Head coach Dan Campbell has turned this franchise around in a hurry with his aggressive play-calling and bright offensive stars. Can the Lions possibly improve over last season’s NFC North division championship and 15-2 record?
The answer, of course, is playoff success. The Lions were dominant in the regular season but failed to get past the NFL’s Divisional round of the playoffs. Detroit also lost its highly coveted offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, who left to be the head coach of the division rival Chicago Bears. Expectations are high in Detroit, but a competitive NFC North division and a new offence could prevent them from matching last year’s record.
This Detroit Lions season preview will look back at last year’s campaign, what to expect this year, and the top betting markets at Canadian sportsbooks for the 2025 season.
Detroit Lions 2024 Season Review
It was a historic season for the Detroit Lions. The team finished 15-2 and dominated their opponents from the opening kickoff. Detroit lost in Week 2 to Tampa Bay, and then did not lose again until Week 15 to the Buffalo Bills. It was the best regular-season record in franchise history and the second year in a row that the team has captured the NFC North division title.
The Lions faltered in the NFL playoffs, though, despite receiving a first-round bye. Detroit had a home game in the divisional round against the sixth-seed Washington Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Washington marched into Ford Field and beat the Lions by a score of 45-31.
In the offseason, Detroit’s offensive coordinator left to be the head coach of their division rivals in Chicago. While the Lions still have all of their offensive weapons, the loss of Johnson is seen as a blow by many in the industry. Detroit is still likely the best team in the division from top to bottom, but the Green Bay Packers are seen as serious contenders this year, especially after trading for all-pro linebacker Micah Parsons.
Lions to Win the NFC North Division
Can the Lions win the NFC North Division for the third consecutive year? The odds market has the Lions as the betting favourite at most Canadian online betting sites.
On paper, Detroit deserves to be the top choice for the NFC North division again. The team still has Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jamyr Gibbs on offence, led by quarterback Jared Goff. The defence started strong last season, but faltered down the stretch, so that will be a focus of the Lions. Detroit also lost its defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, to the New York Jets, so Campbell will have two new running mates to get used to on the sidelines.
But it’s not just about Detroit maintaining its momentum from last year. As mentioned, Green Bay is seen as a legitimate contender in the NFC North this year. The recent addition of all-pro linebacker Micah Parsons improved what was already expected to be a strong defensive unit. The Packers also have quarterback Jordan Love back at full health this year after struggling through last season. Green Bay added standout rookie Matthew Golden in the first round of this year’s draft.
Minnesota had a stellar 14-3 record last season, but moved on from quarterback Sam Darnold in favour of 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings will be relying on their strong defence led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and of course, the connection between McCarthy and all-pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Here are the updated NFC North division odds after Week 1:
- Green Bay Packers -120
- Minnesota Vikings +300
- Detroit Lions +400
- Chicago Bears +1000
Lions to Win the NFC
Despite losing in Week 1 to the Green Bay Packers, the Lions remain one of the betting favourites to win the NFC Conference this year. And for good reason. The Lions still have one of the best rosters from top to bottom, and some growing pains were expected with two new coordinators on Coach Campbell’s staff.
It won’t be an easy task, and all roads to the Super Bowl in the NFC will still need to go through the defending champions in Philadelphia. However, aside from the Eagles and the Packers, the Lions have the third-best odds of winning the NFC and representing the conference at the Super Bowl in February.
Here are the updated odds for the NFC Conference Winners after Week 1:
- Philadelphia Eagles +350
- Green Bay Packers +450
- Detroit Lions +800
- Washington Commanders +900
- San Francisco 49ers +900
- Los Angeles Rams +1000
- Minnesota Vikings +1000
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1200
The battle at the top of the NFC North Division could determine who represents the NFC in the Super Bowl this year. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Lions, Packers, and Vikings all be favourites for the division at some point.
Detroit Lions to Win the Super Bowl
The Lions have +800 odds to win the NFC Championship, but how do they measure up against their opponents in the AFC? Are the Lions legitimate Super Bowl contenders? Or has a loss in Week 1 changed the minds of bettors? According to Canadian sportsbooks like BetVictor Canada, Detroit is still considered one of the stronger teams, but now sits in the second tier of Super Bowl contenders.
Here are the current Super Bowl Champion odds after Week 1:
- Buffalo Bills +600
- Baltimore Ravens +650
- Philadelphia Eagles +700
- Green Bay Packers +850
- Kansas City Chiefs +1100
- Detroit Lions +1600
- San Francisco 49ers +1600
- Washington Commanders +1800
- Cincinnati Bengals +2000
- Los Angeles Chargers +2000
- Los Angeles Rams +2000
Just as with the NFC Champion odds, the Eagles and Packers are distancing themselves from the rest of the field in the NFC. The Bills and Ravens are the two top favourites from the AFC, with the Chiefs slightly ahead of the Lions.
The Lions will need to prove they can walk into Philadelphia or Green Bay to win playoff games this year. Quarterback Jared Goff does not have the best career record in Green Bay and has not performed well in cold weather. These are likely factors that are preventing bettors from taking the Lions over the other teams in the NFC.
Let’s not completely count Detroit out, though. Once the team adapts to two new coordinators and their systems, the Lions have the talent to overcome a slow start to the season. If this offence can get back to firing on all cylinders, Detroit could be a value bet later in the season.
Detroit Lions FAQs
Yes, the Detroit Lions won the NFC North division with a 15-2 record, narrowly edging out the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions earned a bye in the NFC Wildcard round, but lost to the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs.
No, the Detroit Lions have never won a Super Bowl Championship. Since the Super Bowl was created in 1966, the Lions have never been to a Super Bowl game.
At the start of the season, the Detroit Lions were the favourites to win the NFC North division over the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers.
