Detroit Lions Odds
Betting on the Detroit Lions could be fun in 2023, as they are primed for their best season in years.
Below, you’ll find 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 the next Lions game.
This week’s Detroit Lions odds: Spread, Super Bowl & props
Here are the latest Lions odds including the best available point spreads for this week’s game, current Lions Super Bowl odds and select player props for NFL games. Click on any odds below to go straight to the online sportsbook, claim your bonus and start making your Lions bets.
This Week’s Lions Spread
Lions Super Bowl, NFC Odds
Aidan Hutchinson prop, MVP odds
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 NFL odds for each game are the 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 from the PointsBet Michigan sportsbook app, 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
Prop betting on the NFL 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 and other best NFL props
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.
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.
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 interim 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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Just this past season! The Lions closed the 2022-23 season with a win against the Green Bay Packers to finish the year 9-8. It helped give the team a ton of momentum heading into the offseason, and also had the added benefit of handing Aaron Rodgers a loss in his final game as a Packer.
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.