Detroit Lions Open as Strong NFC Favorites in Vegas for 2023

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell. (Photo by Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)

Somehow and someway, the U.S. government confirming UFO sightings over lake Michigan wasn’t the strangest thing occurring in the Mitten State this week. The beloved Detroit Lions have opened as +2500 in Vegas to win Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. The fresh line has Michiganders over 50 scratching their heads in confusion while those in their 20s deposit student loan money into their fan duel accounts.

Just one short year ago, the Lions opened with the worst Super Bowl odds in the NFL at +20000, tied with the Texans and Jets. Today, the Lions and Jets are tied for the ninth-best odds to be crowned champion next season.

For the first time in, well… ever, Vegas is putting some respect on the Lions for a good cause. Last season, the Lions quietly went 5-1 within the division, something that should nearly guarantee a playoff spot. I’m no fortune teller, but I can guaran-damn-tee if the Lions go 5-1 in the division again next year, we’ll have our first postseason appearance since 2016. At +2500, the Lions are top dogs in the NFC North heading into the offseason, sitting ahead of the Green Bay Packers at +3500, the Minnesota Vikings at +4000, and the Chicago Bears at +6500.

As for the NFC, only the Eagles (+900), 49ers (+900), and Cowboys (+1500) start the offseason with shorter odds.

Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff (16). (Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Full Vegas Odds

• Chiefs (+600)
• Bills (+850)
• Eagles (+900)
• 49ers (+900)
• Bengals (+900)
• Cowboys (+1500)
• Ravens (+1600)
• Chargers (+2000)
• Jaguars (+2500)
• Lions (+2500)
• Jets (+2500)
• Rams (+3000)
• Dolphins (+3000)
• Packers (+3500
• Browns (+3500)
• Broncos (+3500)
• Saints (+3500)
• Vikings (+4000)
• Raiders (+4000)
• Giants (+4000)
• Steelers (+5000)
• Panthers (+5500)
• Commanders (+5500)
• Patriots (+5500)
• Seahawks (+6000)
• Bears (+6500)
• Titans (+7500)
• Falcons (+7500)
• Buccaneers (+7500)
• Colts (+20000)
• Cardinals (+28000)
• Texans (+28000)

I’m not sure how it came to this, but the Lions are the clear-cut best team in Detroit. And to be honest, I’d take another five years of whatever the hell is going on in Comerica Park (whatever it is, it’s not baseball) for the Lions to have one magical playoff run. I think I’d even donate a kidney.

Are these odds certainly going to change throughout Free Agency and the Draft? Absolutely. Am I going to stare at these odds every day until my eyes bleed? You betcha. Envision a college student at 2:00 a.m. watching his food spin around in a microwave. Yup, that’s me right now. 

Staying the favorites in the North requires resigning a few key players, bringing in some new ones during Free Agency, and having another stellar Brad Holmes draft class. The position groups that need to be addressed this offseason are: Cornerbacks (more than one), linebacker (draft), interior defensive lineman, and guard.

Notice how I did not say quarterback. The reason? Because we don’t need one. Jared Goff was 6th in yards, 6th in touchdowns, 2nd in INT percentage, 6th in QBR, 2nd in sack percentage (because of his nifty elusiveness, of course), 2nd in 20 yard passes, and 3rd in 40 yard passes. So unless Florida Quarterback Anthony Richardson puts on lingerie and makeup and bats his eyes at us with the 18th pick, I’m all set. However, I can certainly be convinced.

Vegas, Vegas, Vegas. You make my head spin faster than a Saturday night.

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97). (Photo by Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK)

All Vegas odds are according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Odds are subject to change at any given time. Please bet responsibly. If you believe you have a gambling problem, please call 1-800-270-7117, for those who live in the Great Lake State known as Michigan.