Detroit, MI
NFL Week 3: Bettors banking on *checks notes* Detroit Lions to win Super Bowl
For a lot of moons, the Detroit Lions have been the laughingstock of the NFL. They’ve been the Cleveland Browns of the NFC, the clowns on the circus, the Packers’ little brothers who simply wish to get a seat on the grownup desk on Thanksgiving — however not anymore. By way of two weeks, the Detroit Lions have proven life. They’ve proven grit. They’ve been satisfying, and so they’ve impressed quite a few individuals throughout America. After Week 1 noticed the Lions battle robust in opposition to among the finest groups within the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles, Week 2 noticed the Lions leap out to an enormous lead early on the Washington Commanders. Whereas the Commanders did claw their approach again to convey the rating inside single digits, most onlookers agreed that the Lions by no means actually misplaced management. They appeared stable.
Now, anybody who’s been watching the Lions in recent times may’ve advised you that their document wasn’t indicative of how good the staff really was. In 2021, the Lions had the second-worst document within the league. Nonetheless, they have been additionally 1-6-1 in one-possession video games final 12 months. That’s not regular. You’d count on a staff to be about .500 in these conditions. Detroit wasn’t anyplace shut. Couple that with a extra wholesome offensive line, improved passing sport weapons, and an improved move rush, and it’s no marvel that the Lions are out of the blue trying like kings of their jungle. They’ve additionally received one of many best schedules within the NFL, with 10 video games in opposition to groups that have been beneath .500 final season. Yeah, they’ll in all probability get smoked on nationwide TV on Thanksgiving Day in opposition to the Buffalo Payments. That may in all probability flip lots of people away from the Lions, however hey, the Rams additionally received smoked by the Payments on nationwide TV and I don’t see anyone fading the Rams proper now.
Sports activities bettors are essentially the most intrigued by the Lions to this point. This complete week, the Lions have been a favourite at sportsbooks. On Tuesday, the Lions obtained 16.7 p.c of bets to win the Tremendous Bowl. That tied them with the Payments for the second-most, behind solely the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, who obtained 25 p.c of all Tremendous Bowl bets. That is surprising. Relating to particular person video games, it’s regular to see bettors again the underdogs in hopes of huge payouts. Nonetheless, that nearly by no means occurs in the case of championship bets. The phrase is “any given Sunday,” not “any given season.”
Hell, the Lions nonetheless aren’t anticipated to even attain the playoffs. Based on OddsChecker US, the Lions are listed at -350 to overlook the playoffs, that means they’re being given a 77.8 p.c likelihood to overlook the playoffs altogether. Regardless of their scorching begin, they nonetheless have +10000 odds to win the Tremendous Bowl, placing them tied for twenty third within the NFL with the likes of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Washington Commanders. Ought to these odds be greater? Completely, particularly given the truth that the Lions beat the Commanders convincingly of their dwelling opener final weekend.
That’s in all probability why so many individuals are inclined to wager on the Lions this week. They seen how onerous the Lions laid the smack down on Washington, and the truth that they’re nonetheless tied with the Commanders by way of Tremendous Bowl odds is a slap within the face to Detroit’s early-season accomplishments.
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It’s not simply the Tremendous Bowl odds that bettors love although. The Lions are essentially the most backed underdog to win this Sunday, receiving 66.7 p.c of moneyline bets as six-point underdogs to their division rivals, the Minnesota Vikings. Now, the Lions haven’t gained in Minnesota since 2017, however I perceive why so many individuals may see Detroit strolling away with a victory this Sunday. The obvious purpose is how every staff fared of their video games in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. Whereas neither staff received out to a scorching begin, the Lions confirmed combat, clawing again to make it a detailed sport by the ultimate whistle. In the meantime, the Vikings couldn’t get something going. They appeared outclassed in opposition to Philadelphia, like a deer in headlights — or Sam Darnold in opposition to the Patriots. Based mostly on the transitive property, it’d be a slam dunk dwelling run wager, proper? Math has by no means failed us earlier than, however we all know higher. We all know that isn’t how soccer works.
The Vikings needs to be a favourite, however I’m additionally glad to see everybody giving Detroit the credit score they deserve. Detroit doesn’t have the identical protection that Philadelphia does, and everyone knows that Kirk Cousins struggles mightily in primetime video games. Thus we shouldn’t count on a repeat efficiency of final week. This sport needs to be a shootout, and so long as Irv Smith Jr. continues dropping certain landing passes, the Lions could have a reasonably good shot at transferring above .500.