The Detroit Lions are approaching the start of their 2021 training camp on July 27. The countdown to the start of the 2021 NFL season is nearing its end.
Most pundits are expecting the Lions to struggle in their first year under new coach Dan Campbell. Are there any intriguing wagers for Michigan sports bettors to consider?
Super Bowl 56 remains a longshot
Entering training camp, the Detroit Lions in 2021 are still one of the biggest longshots to win the Super Bowl next season.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Lions are at +15000 to win it all. Only the Houston Texans have longer odds at +18000.
Oddsmakers like the two-time defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs to win it all, with FanDuel listing them at +500, while the reigning titleholder Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at +650.
The Lions have the longest odds to win the NFC Championship. FanDuel is listing Detroit at +8000. The Philadelphia Eagles are next-closest at +4400. The Bucs are favored at +310.
Lions in back of NFC North pack
Along with being picked to be among the worst in the NFL in 2021, the Lions are projected to finish last in the NFC North.
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Lions are listed at +2200 to win the division this year. The Green Bay Packers opened as a -250 favorite, but are now down to -120 because of uncertainty surrounding the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the team.
BetMGM has the Minnesota Vikings at +250, while the Chicago Bears are at +325 in the division winner race.
BetMGM is offering odds for the Lions exact finish in the division. Other odds are:
- Second Place: +1200
- Third Place: +625
- Fourth Place: -650
One interesting tidbit for the Lions is that they are the biggest liability in the NFC North for BetMGM. Given their odds are so drastically long, the Lions winning the division would be providing some massive payouts.
Lions win total projections remain low
The 2021 season will feature 17 regular-season games for the first time, but that doesn’t mean oddsmakers like the Lions to win many of them.
Oddsmakers at WilliamHill Sportsbook are listing the Lions regular season win total at over/under of 5.
Detroit is coming off a 5-11 record in 2020 in the final year of Matt Patricia as head coach. The Lions were just 13-29 in his abbreviated three seasons with the team.
Since 2000, the Lions have won four or fewer games six times. Three of those occurrences came in the first season under a new head coach.
Dan Campbell for Coach of the Year?
Dan Campbell certainly is bringing a new personality to the head coaching position.
The former tight end has provided a lot of good sound bites heading into his first season leading the Lions.
Despite Detroit being projected to finish near dead last in the NFL, Campbell is a little higher in the coach of the year race.
Campbell is listed at +4000 to win the honor by PointsBet Sportsbook. He is tied with Nick Sirianni, the new coach of the Eagles. PointsBet lists David Culley, Jon Gruden and Zak Taylor with the longest odds at +5000. Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns is the favorite at +1200.
With such low expectations for the season, should Campbell be able to somehow lead the Lions to a winning record, he is likely to get a lot more consideration for the honor.
DraftKings offering Lions NFL specials
If you’re looking for some more specific odds on the Lions this season, DraftKings Sportsbook is offering some special NFL futures props.
- Detroit Lions to be No. 1 seed: +30000
- Detroit Lions to have a winning record: +1000
- D’Andre Swift Over 51.5 Regular Season Receptions + Breshad Perriman Over 740.5 Regular Season Receiving Yards: +250
- Jamaal Williams Over 725.5 Regular Season Rush and Rec Yards + T.J. Hockenson over 5.5 Regular Season Receiving TDs: +225
- Jared Goff over 21.5 Regular Season TD Passes + D’Andre Swift Over 7.5 Regular Season Rushing TDs + T.J. Hockenson Over 775.5 Regular Season Receiving Yards: +550
- Romeo Okwara over 8.5 Regular Season Sacks + Amon-Ra St. Brown Over 500.5 Regular Season Receiving Yards: +275
It’s tough to know what to expect from the passing game for the 2021 Lions as training camp nears, with so many new receivers and a new starting quarterback in Goff.
The Lions selected St. Brown in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, and he could see a primary role in the slot this season. Goff has been able to connect often with slot receivers during his time with the Los Angeles Rams.
Okwara is coming off a 10-sack season with the Lions in 2020, a career-high. With a new contract signed, Okwara now steps into a new defense that is looking to emphasize more of a pass rush.
