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Anything is possible with the Detroit Lions since they play in a questionable division and played impressive ball the start of last season before imploding. This year, the Detroit Lions 2008 odds have them paying $500 for every $100 bet if they are to somehow win the 2008 NFC North at Bookmaker.com. These are good odds all things considered.
Interestingly enough, Bookmaker.com - the oldest established online bookmaker catering to North American sports bettors - have given the Lions -130 odds of winning OVER 6 ½ games. Seven games may not sound like a whole lot, but in this division that may be good enough to make it into the post season.
The Lions are being downgraded not only because they are seen as NFL castaways with poor management but also because the Minnesota Vikings are supposed to be very good this year (supposedly) and the Green Bay Packers WERE very good last year. It remains to be seen if they stay that way following Favre's move to the New York Jets. And the Chicago Bears are seen as worse off than Detroit in many circles though the odds makers give the Bears a slightly better chance of winning the NFC North at +475.
"I thought last year would finally be the year the Lions made it up to their fans for the years of misery inflicted on them, and for eight weeks it looked as if I'd been right," Tom Mantzouranis of the AOL Fanhouse.
"This year I really think is the year (and when I'm inevitably proven wrong, I'll say the same thing about next year). Not to say the Lions will be a Super Bowl contender, because we all know that isn't going to happen. But this is going to be an entertaining team that should take advantage of a weak division and fight for its crown. I wouldn't be surprised to see 9-7 take the NFC North, and that's in the Lions' wheelhouse."
Mantzouranis rates the Detroit Lions receivers a "10".
"We all know what Roy Williams is going to bring to the table -- he's averaged over 900 yards and seven touchdowns a season in his career while missing anybody who could take attention away from him. Now he's got that in Calvin Johnson, who was hurt for much of his rookie season but still managed to put up impressive numbers all things considered. He's healthy and drawing rave reviews this preseason and camp, eager to justify all of the hype and money he got coming into the league. With Williams in a contract year, this could be the best receiving duo in the NFL this season."
The Detroit Lions odds of winning the 2009 Super Bowl were set at +7600 for a payout potential of $7600 on every $100 bet.
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Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com
