Detroit Lions Odds
As one of the longest-tenured franchises in the National Football League, the Detroit Lions have been on quite the ride. The NFL has grown from some humble beginnings to the biggest sport in America.
The club has had quite the drought, too, with just 12 postseason appearances since the merger with the American Football League in 1966. However, the Lions have still made plenty of contributions to NFL lore, including a player in the conversation for best running back of all time in Barry Sanders. Amazingly, the franchise has won just one playoff game since 1957, a jawdropping run of futility.
Another fresh set of faces is in Detroit for the 2021 season. Out at quarterback is franchise stalwart Matthew Stafford; in is Jared Goff after a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. Out is head coach Matt Patricia, himself replaced on an interim basis by Darrell Bevell in 2020; in is Dan Campbell. Out, too, is general manager Bob Quinn; in is Brad Holmes, who has completed his first NFL Draft class.
Below we’ll cover everything you need to know about betting on the Lions, including where you can legally and safely bet on the best moneylines, spread and totals odds posted at Michigan online sportsbooks for this week’s Lions game.
This week’s Lions odds: Point spread, moneyline & over/under
Odds for the NFL can move quickly in the days leading up to a game, but staying on top of things is fairly easy. Our live odds feed tells you where things stand for the Lions and where you can get a bet in at the best odds, depending which side of the action you may want in a given week. Click on any odds below to go straight to the sportsbook, claim your bonus and start making your Lions bets.
2021 Detroit Lions schedule and lines
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | Broadcast | Opening line (Lions) | Current line (Lions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun. Sept. 12 | vs. San Francisco 49ers | 1 p.m. | FOX | +7.5 | +7.5 |
| 2 | Mon. Sept. 20 | at Green Bay Packers | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | +8 | +8 |
| 3 | Sun. Sept. 26 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | 1 p.m. | CBS | +7.5 | +7.5 |
| 4 | Sun. Oct. 3 | at Chicago Bears | 1 p.m. | FOX | +5.5 | +5.5 |
| 5 | Sun. Oct. 10 | at Minnesota Vikings | 1 p.m. | FOX | +8.5 | +8.5 |
| 6 | Sun. Oct. 17 | vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 1 p.m. | FOX | +1 | +1 |
| 7 | Sun. Oct. 24 | at Los Angeles Rams | 4:05 p.m. | FOX | +12 | +12 |
| 8 | Sun. Oct. 31 | vs. Philadelphia Eagles | 1 p.m. | FOX | +1 | +1 |
| 9 | Bye week | |||||
| 10 | Sun. Nov. 14 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 p.m. | FOX | +7.5 | +7.5 |
| 11 | Sun. Nov. 21 | at Cleveland Browns | 1 p.m. | FOX | +10 | +10 |
| 12 | Thu. Nov. 25 | vs. Chicago Bears | 12:30 p.m. | FOX | +3.5 | +3.5 |
| 13 | Sun. Dec. 5 | vs. Minnesota Vikings | 1 p.m. | CBS | +4 | +4 |
| 14 | Sun. Dec. 12 | at Denver Broncos | 4:05 p.m. | FOX | +7.5 | +7.5 |
| 15 | Sun. Dec. 19 | vs. Arizona Cardinals | 1 p.m. | FOX | +6.5 | +6.5 |
| 16 | Sun. Dec. 26 | at Atlanta Falcons | 1 p.m. | FOX | +7.5 | +7.5 |
| 17 | Sun. Jan. 2 | at Seattle Seahawks | 4:25 p.m. | FOX | +9.5 | +9.5 |
| 18 | Sun. Jan. 9 | vs. Green Bay Packers | 1 p.m. | FOX | N/A | N/A |
Lions Super Bowl, NFC North Odds
Is this the year the Lions put it all together and make a run at the NFC North title? Even the Super Bowl? See below for the best current Lions Super Bowl odds and divisional odds. Click on any odds to go straight to the sportsbook and start locking in your Lions bets.
Jared Goff prop, MVP odds
The pressure is on the Lions to make some big strides this season, and that responsibility falls heavily on the shoulders of new QB Jared Goff. If you beleive Goff is the long-awaited answer in Detroit, here are the latest odds for Goff in the next Lions game along with his end-of-season awards hopes.
Detroit Lions Betting News
How to read Detroit Lions betting lines
There are plenty of ways to bet on the Lions and the rest of the NFL all season long. Three of the most popular options for each game are moneyline, spread, and totals. When you view the upcoming slate at legal sportsbooks, you’ll see each game listed out with odds for each.
- Green Bay Packers -200 -4 (-110) O 51.5 (-110)
- Detroit Lions +170 +4 (-110) U 51.5 (-110)
The three sets of numbers next to the two team names give you a peek into the minds of oddsmakers. There will be a favored side on the moneyline and spread, and estimated scoring on the Over/Under. Here’s what you need to know about each of the top NFL betting options.
Lions Moneyline odds
New and experienced bettors alike find a lot to love about the moneyline. The goal is simple: pick the winner of the matchup from the favorite or underdog.
- Green Bay Packers -200
- Detroit Lions +170
In this example, the big range between the numbers points to the Packers being a sizable favorite. The closer the numbers get, the tighter the matchup that oddsmakers are anticipating.
Lions Point Spread
Point spread betting provides even more of a challenge. You get to choose the favorite minus the points or the underdog plus the number with the goal of covering the spread.
- Green Bay Packers -4 (-110)
- Detroit Lions +4 (-110)
Spreads can make even the most unattractive of matchups appealing from a betting perspective. Odds generally start at -110 on both sides and adjust in response to action.
Lions Over/Under (Totals) odds
You can bet on NFL games without worrying about which side will win or lose. Oddsmakers set the bar on Over/Under betting, and bettors then get to choose sides.
- Over 51.5 (-110)
- Under 51.5 (-110)
If you expect the game to be higher-scoring than the benchmark number, then you select Over, while those who expect fewer points to be scored will choose the Under.
Best sportsbook apps for betting on the Detroit Lions
Signing up for a sportsbook to bet on the Lions is quick and painless. After clicking through on our exclusive links to take advantage of the best sportsbook bonus offers, here’s what’s next: Enter a few details, complete the registration process, download the app from the site and log in.
That’s it! You’re looking at a couple of minutes of time in total. When you’re ready to bet on the Lions, you’ll have a number of options to consider, including:
- Upcoming games
- Odds to win the Super Bowl
- Division and conference title odds, plus regular-season win totals
How to bet on Lions props and futures odds
Although betting on Lions games is (hopefully) lots of fun, or at least a profitable experience, there’s more to consider on the sports betting menu. Props and futures are two of the other big features you’ll want to check out. Here’s what you need to know about both.
Lions prop betting
Props can be found by clicking through to other opportunities on individual game listings. These are essentially side bets on specific game circumstances, such as:
- How many yards will Jared Goff throw for — over/under 275.5?
- Who will score the first rushing touchdown in the game — the Lions or the Dallas Cowboys?
- Will there be a defensive or special teams score in the game — yes or no?
Lions futures odds
Futures are wagers on events that will happen at a later date, such as which team will win the next Super Bowl. You can place your bets on the Lions to do that and also consider other options, including:
- Regular-season wins — over/under
- To win conference or division, or to make playoffs
- Individual awards — MVP, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, select statistical leaders
If you click on our NFL link/tab, you should see a direct listing for futures. After clicking there, you can begin exploring all of the different markets to hunt for opportunities.
Detroit Lions 2021 draft picks
The 2021 NFL Draft brought back consensus positive reviews for the Detroit Lions under new general manager Brad Holmes. The club had a number of holes to fill, and early returns suggest they hit most of the right notes (although wide receiver depth still looks to be an issue). Here are the newest Detroit Lions draft picks.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Penei Sewell | OT | Oregon |
| 2 | 41 | Levi Onwuzurike | DT | Washington |
| 3 | 72 | Alim McNeill | DT | N.C. State |
| 3 | 101 | Ifeatu Melifonwu | CB | Syracuse |
| 4 | 112 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | USC |
| 4 | 113 | Derrick Barnes | LB | Purdue |
| 7 | 257 | Jermar Jefferson | RB | Oregon State |
Sewell was the first player taken along either line of scrimmage and projects as a star offensive lineman for years down the road. The selection of two defensive tackles on the second day of the draft raised some eyebrows. And even though St. Brown brings attractive raw potential among analytics experts, they also think the Lions should have done more at receiver.
In the end, however, the reviews for Holmes’ first draft were positive and have a clear long-haul rebuild process in mind.
Over the past decade, the draft haul has been more miss than hit for the Lions, but the club has nailed it in a couple of spots. Here are some of the most notable selections over the last few years.
- D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia, Rd 2, 2020
- T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa, Rd 1, 2019
- Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn, Rd 2, 2018
- Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois, Rd 3, 2017
- Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State, Rd 1, 2016
- Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke, Rd 1, 2015
- Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina, Rd 1, 2014
- Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU, Rd 2, 2014
- Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU, Rd 1, 2013
- Darius Slay, DB, Mississippi State, Rd 2, 2013
How did the Lions do last year?
The coronavirus pandemic didn’t stop the 2020 NFL season from taking place, even though it unfolded with a mere fraction of the usual fans in attendance across the country.
Maybe that situation was just as well for diehard Detroit Lions fans, who suffered through another frustrating season and missed out on the agony in person.
The more cynical supporters of the bunch probably would have told you the autumn was cooked after the Lions gave up 21 fourth-quarter points at home to NFC North rival Chicago to turn a 17-point lead into a 27-23 defeat.
But the smallest window of hope arrived after the Lions won three of their next five games, including a 23-22 decision against Atlanta where Matthew Stafford threw a touchdown pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson on the final play of the game. Matt Prater’s extra point with no time on the clock proved the difference.
Yet despite sitting at 3-3, Detroit would win just two more games the rest of the season to finish at 5-11. In six of their final eight losses, the Lions were defeated by double digits.
The season led to an eventual house-cleaning, where head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn were shown the door. In the offseason, longtime starting quarterback Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in a deal that included Jared Goff being sent to Detroit, along with numerous high NFL Draft picks.
Top five Detroit Lions players of all time
Although the Lions haven’t had a ton of postseason success through the years, the club has still had its fair share of stellar players. Here’s a look at five of the best in franchise history.
1. Barry Sanders, RB
When the conversation turns to the best Lions player of all time, Sanders is one of the first names to come to mind. The electric running back was one of the best at the position in the annals of the NFL, winning the NFL MVP award in 1997 and being selected as a six-time first-team All-Pro over his 10-year career. Sanders is fourth all-time in NFL rushing yards with 15,269.
2. Bobby Layne, QB
When the Lions had their impressive run of success in the 1950s, Layne was a big reason why. After lighting it up in the college ranks with Texas, he began his pro career with the Chicago Bears. Layne came to Detroit in 1950 and really took off, becoming a fixture on the first- or second-team All-Pro squad throughout the decade. Stafford has busted all of his team records in the modern era, but Layne remains a huge part of Lions lore.
3. Calvin Johnson, WR
Megatron got his moniker for his strength and seemingly machine-like abilities to make catches on the field. He amassed seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons, including an NFL record of 1,964 yards in 2012 that still stands entering the 2021 season. He led the league in receiving yards that year, of course, and also in 2011. He was tops in receptions in 2012, with 122. The Georgia Tech alum and Pro Football Hall of Fame member still holds Lions team records for receptions (731) and receiving yards (11,619).
4. Lem Barney, CB
An inductee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992, Barney spent his entire career with the Lions. From 1967 to 1977, Barney made life miserable for opposing QBs, picking off 56 passes and returning seven for scores. He was also stellar in the return and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection during his career. Barney was the recipient of the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 1967.
5. Alex Karras, DT
A one-year suspension for gambling on games in 1963 is one claim to fame for Karras, but there’s much more to the story. A dominant force along the defensive line, he’s a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1960s and a recent enshrinee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Karras was a first- or second-team All-Pro selection nine times over his 12-year career.
All told, 21 players who have spent time with the Lions have made it to the Hall of Fame. The team has retired the numbers of eight players, while 18 are included on the franchise’s ring of honor.
Lions’ quarterbacks over the past 20 years
Jared Goff’s arrival in 2021 is the first real changing of the guard under center in a while for the Lions. But before Matthew Stafford came to town via the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Lions had a bit of a revolving door at QB. Here’s a look at who has taken those snaps since the turn of the century, listed by season and number of starts made.
- 2020: Matthew Stafford (16)
- 2019: Matthew Stafford (8), David Blough (5), Jeff Driskel (3)
- 2018: Matthew Stafford (16)
- 2017: Matthew Stafford (16)
- 2016: Matthew Stafford (16)
- 2015: Matthew Stafford (16)
- 2014: Matthew Stafford (16)
- 2013: Matthew Stafford (16)
- 2012: Matthew Stafford (16)
- 2011: Matthew Stafford (16)
- 2010: Shaun Hill (10), Matthew Stafford (3), Drew Stanton (3)
- 2009: Matthew Stafford (10), Daunte Culpepper (5), Drew Stanton (1)
- 2008: Dan Orlovsky (7), Daunte Culpepper (5), Jon Kitna (4)
- 2007: Jon Kitna (16)
- 2006: Jon Kitna (16)
- 2005: Joey Harrington (11), Jeff Garcia (5)
- 2004: Joey Harrington (16)
- 2003: Joey Harrington (16)
- 2002: Joey Harrington (12), Mike McMahon (4)
- 2001: Charlie Batch (9), Ty Detmer (4), Mike McMahon (3)
- 2000: Charlie Batch (15), Stoney Case (1)
Most notable Lions head coaches
Since entering the NFL in 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans, the Lions franchise has employed 30 coaches in total, including those on an interim basis. Here are some of the most noteworthy accomplishments of those who have roamed the sidelines in Detroit.
- Longest tenure: 133 games; Wayne Fontes (1988-96), 66-67
- Coach of the Year winners: Fontes (1991), George Wilson (1957), Buddy Parker (1956)
- Most playoff appearances: Fontes, five; Parker, four
- Playoff wins: Parker, three
- Best winning percentage: Parker, .667 (47-23-2), 1951-56
Matt Patricia was fired with six games remaining in the 2020 season and finished with a record of 13-28-1. He had previously been on staff with the New England Patriots from 2004-17. Darrell Bevell and Robert Prince finished the season as interims coaches before current head man Dan Campbell was hired in the offseason.
Detroit Lions stadium
The Lions have made their home at Ford Field since the stadium opened in 2002. The Pontiac Silverdome served as the previous venue for home games. Here are some of the key details on the current digs.
- Name: Ford Field
- Location: 2000 Brush St., Detroit, MI 48226
- Groundbreaking: November 1999
- Opening day: Aug. 24, 2002
- Construction cost: $500 million
- Renovations: 2017
- Capacity: 65,000 for football, expandable to 70,000
- Attendance record: 80,103 for Wrestlemania 23 in 2007
- Surface: FieldTurf
- Other notable current events: Quick Lane Bowl, MHSAA Football Finals
Where to stream or listen to Lions games
You have a number of options for catching all of the Detroit Lions football games this season. The majority of the team’s games are scheduled to be part of the Sunday afternoon slate, which means that you can find broadcast coverage on either CBS or FOX.
As the full slate plays out, you’ll also be able to catch highlights on NFL RedZone, while NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers have access to all games as well. The Thanksgiving Day home game in 2021 will likely be on FOX. The full NFL schedule should be released in mid-May.
To live stream Detroit Lions games, you also have several options to consider. CBS and FOX are part of a number of cord-cutting packages, and both networks offer web or mobile access with sign-in via a valid television provider.
Yahoo! Sports and NFL Mobile also provide coverage of local and primetime games via apps, and there’s also an official Lions iOS app that is available to fans in-market. In short, you have plenty of ways to make sure you don’t miss a second of Lions action.
Detroit Lions play-by-play/radio
The flagship radio station for Lions radio broadcasts is moving back to WXYT-FM 97.1 “The Ticket” in Detroit in 2021 after a stint with WJR-AM 760. Dan Miller handles play-by-play duties for Lions games, while former Lions offensive lineman Lomas Brown is tasked with color commentary.
The broadcast is also picked up by a number of affiliate stations throughout the state of Michigan. You can also receive the live local call for games with a subscription to NFL GamePass, TuneIn or an advanced SiriusXM Radio package.
Detroit Lions franchise history
As members of the NFC North, the Lions have natural division rivalries with the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. The club plays six games per season versus division foes, and all are big highlights on the schedule.
Unfortunately, the Lions have been unable to win the division since 1993, at which time it was known as the NFC Central. The club has been able to make it to the postseason seven times as a wild-card entry since that point, with the last appearance coming in 2016.
Let’s take a look at several of the key details from franchise history, including the statistical leaders in a number of categories.
- Passing yards: Matthew Stafford, 45,109
- Rushing yards: Barry Sanders, 15,269
- Receiving yards: Calvin Johnson, 11,619
- Scoring: Jason Hanson, 2,150 points
- Touchdowns: Barry Sanders, 109
- Tackles: Chris Spielman, 1,020
- Fumbles recovered: 17, Chris Spielman, Lem Barney, Joe Schmidt
- Sacks: Robert Porcher, 95.5
- Interceptions: Dick LeBeau, 62
- Retired numbers: Six — Dutch Clark, Barry Sanders, Bobby Layne, Doak Walker, Joe Schmidt, Chuck Hughes
- Hall-of-Famers: 21; Alex Karras was the most recent inductee, in 2020
- NFL titles: Four — 1935, 1952, 1953, 1957
- Conference titles: Four — 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957
- Division titles: Four — 1935, 1983, 1991, 1993
- Playoff appearances: 17, last in 2016
FAQ
Who owns the Detroit Lions?
The Lions have been in the Ford family since 1963. William Clay Ford purchased the club in 1963 for $6 million and served at the helm until 2013 He was succeeded by Martha Firestone Ford, who recently handed the reins over to Sheila Ford Hamp. Prior to the Ford family acquiring control, there were three other leadership tenures for the franchise.
- Lyle Fife and Edwin Anderson, 1948-1960
- Fred Mandel, 1940-1947
- George Richards, 1936-1939
How many Super Bowls have the Lions won?
The Lions are one of 12 NFL teams to have never won the Super Bowl, and also members of an even smaller club that has never reached the “big game”. Detroit is one of four franchises to hold that distinction, along with the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Lions won four NFL championships in the pre-Super Bowl era, the last of which occurred in 1957.
Why do the Lions always play on Thanksgiving?
In a word, tradition. The team has played at home on Thanksgiving Day since the 1934 season. George Richards, the owner at the time, was also the owner of radio station WJR. He negotiated a deal to have the game carried nationwide via the NBC Radio Network. Lions home games on the holiday have been a staple ever since.
How many Lions’ numbers are retired?
Six members of the Lions have had their numbers retired by the franchise. Here are the details on each player’s time in Detroit, listed in order by playing number.
- 7 — Dutch Clark, QB, 1934-1938
- 20 — Barry Sanders, RB, 1989-1998 (Famous Lions Lem Barney and Billy Sims also wore No. 20)
- 22 — Bobby Layne, QB and K, 1950-1958
- 37 — Doak Walker, HB, K and P, 1950-1955
- 56 — Joe Schmidt, LB, 1953-1965
- 85 — Chuck Hughes, WR, 1970-1971
How much would it cost to buy the Detroit Lions?
According to the latest NFL franchise valuation numbers from Forbes in 2019, the Lions were valued at $1.95 billion. Although that’s a staggering sum, that only places them in 31st place out of 32 franchises, ahead of only the Buffalo Bills at $1.9 billion. The Dallas Cowboys are atop the list at $5.5 billion, followed by the New England Patriots at $4.1 billion and the New York Giants at $3.9 billion.
When was the last time the Lions had a winning record?
Back in 2017, the Lions finished with a record of 9-7. That was the second consecutive year that the franchise hit the mark, but it was good enough for a wild-card berth in 2016. That wasn’t the case the following season, and the club parted ways with head coach Jim Caldwell afterwards. Matt Patricia was handed the reins in the offseason, before being subsequently fired in 2020.
When was the last time the Detroit Lions won their division?
We have to go back to 1993 for the answer to this question. The team was a member of the NFC Central at the time, along with the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Vikings and Packers finished up the year at 9-7 and snagged wild-card berths, but the Lions bested them both with a mark of 10-6 to take down the division. Unfortunately, that didn’t translate into postseason success, as the club lost at home to the Packers by a score of 30-20 on wild card weekend.