It’s a complete overhaul in Detroit. The Lions hired a new head coach, Dan Campbell, who’s bringing back the grit and toughness of Detroit back to the team. Shortly after, they made major waves when they traded longtime starter Matthew Stafford to the Rams in exchange for Jared Goff. Star receiver Kenny Golloday was lost in free agency and this Lions offense looks completely different.
The receiving corps remains thin despite landing a couple of players in free agency, but the direction for the team is clear– run the ball. Rookie D’Andre Swift showed serious star power in 2020 and the team will likely roll with him this season as their feature player. Campbell also drafted the top offensive lineman in the draft, tackle Penei Sewell.
It’s clear this is just step one in a multi-year rebuilding effort. Young players remain the foundational pieces defensively and the offensive line is locked in for years. The horizon might be a ways away, but it might just be bright for the Lions.
Detroit Lions Week 1 odds
The Lions open up their 2021 season at home against the San Francisco 49ers after a 5-11 finish last year. Detroit struggled defensively in 2020, especially after canning head coach Matt Patricia; over the last 5 games of the season, the Lions allowed 38.2 points per game (last). Instead, they move forward with Dan Campbell, a hard-nosed coach who coached for the Dolphins and Saints in his 11-year career.
Detroit () opened as a steep 7.5-point underdog against the 49ers. A year ago, San Francisco was marred by injury with 9 starters being placed on the IR at some point in the season. For 2021 they’re back at full strength, though camp will be dominated by talks of rookie Trey Lance competing for the starting quarterback job with Jimmy Garoppolo. The Lions finished 7-9 against the spread and 10-6 against the over in 2020.
Complete Week 1 betting preview: 49ers vs. Lions
Detroit Lions futures odds
Futures are long-term bets that can range from an offseason to a full season (or beyond). Team win totals, award winners, and player performance are common futures.
Lions Super Bowl odds and other futures markets 2021
- Odds to win Super Bowl: +25000
- To win NFC: +10000
- To win NFC North: +2200
- Make playoffs: +575
- Lions win total: 5 (+100)
Odds last updated July 12
Lions prop bets
Prop bets are based on individual performance, typically surrounding players. One bright spot on the Lions’ offense that was devoid of much healthy talent was rookie back D’Andre Swift. Swift was a popular target with prop betting once he took over the full time running back duties. For example, his projected rushing total in the Lions’ Week 10 matchup with the Washington Football Team was 43.5 yards. That week, Swift picked up 81 yards on the ground and those who bet over his rushing total would have cashed out.
Search below for Detroit Lions team or player props currently being offered at sportsbooks. You can also look around at other teams and players using this tool. Happy shopping!
Detroit Lions 2021 schedule and betting odds
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff Time | Opening Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 12 | vs San Francisco 49ers | 1:00 p.m. ET | 49ers -7.5 |
| Week 2 | Monday, Sept. 20 | at Green Bay Packers | 8:15 p.m. ET | Packers -7.5 |
| Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 26 | vs Baltimore Ravens | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 3 | at Chicago Bears | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 10 | at Minnesota Vikings | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 17 | vs Cincinnati Bengals | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 24 | at Los Angeles Rams | 4:05 p.m. ET | Rams -10.5 |
| Week 8 | Sunday, Oct. 31 | vs Philadelphia Eagles | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 7 | BYE | N/A | N/A |
| Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 14 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 21 | at Cleveland Browns | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 12 | Thursday, Nov. 25 | vs Chicago Bears | 12:30 p.m. ET | Bears -4.5 |
| Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 5 | vs Minnesota Vikings | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 12 | at Denver Broncos | 4:05 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 15 | Sunday, Dec. 19 | vs Arizona Cardinals | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 16 | Sunday, Dec. 26 | at Atlanta Falcons | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 2 | at Seattle Seahawks | 4:25 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 18 | Sunday, Jan. 9 | vs Green Bay Packers | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
Best Lions betting site(s)
How to bet on the Detroit Lions
Moneyline
The moneyline is the simplest of bets, decided by the straight-up winner and loser of each game. Consider the following example:
- Lions +140
- Falcons -105
The Lions are considered underdogs in this matchup (indicated by +140), paying out $240 total for a $100 bet ($140 in winnings). The Falcons are the favorite in this matchup, requiring a $105 bet to win $100 (plus the initial bet back). How much either team wins or loses by does not matter in moneyline betting, the payout remains the same.
Point spread
Betting on the point spread is determinant on how many points a team wins or loses by. Take the following example:
- Lions +6.5 (-110)
- Rams -6.5 (-110)
In this example, Detroit is an underdog by 6.5 points, indicated by “+6.5.” If the Lions keep the game within seven or win outright– say they lost 27-24– then the Lions (+6.5) win the bet and would have a total payout of $19.09 on a $10 bet ($9.09 in profit). If the Rams manage to win by seven or more– say 31-17– then the Rams (-6.5) would win, and the payout would be the same as listed above.
Point total (over/under)
The point total refers to the over/under line set by books. This number projects the total number of points scored in a game and, like prop betting, is bet whether one thinks the score will go over or under the set point total. For example, the Lions’ Week 4 matchup with the New Orleans Saints had a projected point total of 51.5 points. Detroit came up just short, 35-29, resulting in 66 combined points. Those who bet over the point total that week would have cashed out.
The Lions fielded the worst scoring defense in the NFL (32.4 points allowed per game), which would have resulted in higher point totals. However, their ability to score on offense inhibited the numbers from getting too out of control (23.6 points per game was 20th). The two ended up balancing out to average point totals that were determinant on the opponent the Lions were playing. Typical point totals landed between 45 and 50 points in 2020.
In-play and live betting
Sometimes, the most thrilling and rewarding bets are bets made while games are being played. These are referred to as live bets or in-play bets. Odds are ever-changing during games, which would prove to be fruitful for sharp and prepared bettors. For example, if the Lions (-110) were favored against the Jets (+120) before kickoff, a payout on a $10 bet on the Bills to win would win just $9.09.
However, say the Lions fell to a 14-3 deficit in the first half despite controlling the overall game (due to a costly turnover or special teams gaffe). Odds may swing in favor of the Jets, who may be a -120 favorite at halftime. Taking the Lions to come back and win the game could present plus-odds (say, +110). Should a bettor take Detroit (+110) at halftime and the Lions pull off the comeback, winners would win $11 instead of $9.09 (plus the initial $10 bet).
This could also be an effective way to “hedge” your bet; say a bettor took the Jets (+120) in that game, but Detroit jumps out to a 16-0 first quarter lead and is controlling the overall feel of the game, bettors could hedge by throwing some money down on Detroit (-255) to return some of the inevitably-lost bet.
Parlays and teasers
You can always string bets together in the form of parlays or teasers. Usually during busy Sundays, bettors can parlay several teams to win or cover against the spread and if all bets are successful, the payouts are multiplied. Teasers function similarly, except they allow bettors to move each point spread to a more favorable line in exchange for diminished odds.
Lions 2020 recap
Record: 5-11
Record ATS: 7-9
Over/under record: 10-6
5-11 isn’t the worst season Detroit’s seen in the last 20 years, but three of those wins came before Week 8. Over the back half of the year, the Lions finished 2-8, highlighted by a 20-0 loss to the Panthers and a 47-7 loss to the Bucs. As mentioned, they fielded the worst scoring defense in the NFL (32.4 points allowed per game) and just the 20th-ranked offense. Now, the Lions move forward with Jared Goff and new head coach Dan Campbell going into 2021.
The Lions gave some good teams scares, including the Saints (lost 35-29), the Packers (lost 31-24), and the Bears (won 34-30). The aforementioned big losses seemed to carry more weight, as Detroit performed a clean sweep for the next season.
Lions 2021 offseason moves
Trades: QB Jared Goff (from Rams), LB Michael Brockers (from Rams)
Re-signings: EDGE Romeo Okwara (three years, $39 million)
Free agent losses: WR Marvin Jones (to Jaguars), LB Jarrid Davis (to Jets), WR Kenny Golladay (to Giants)
Free agent signings: RB Jamaal Williams (two years, $7.5 million), WR Tyrell Williams (one year, $6.2 million), WR Breshad Perriman (one year, $3 million)
Draft picks: OT Penei Sewell, DT Levi Onwuzurike, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown