Last season recap
Roughly midway last NFL betting season, the Detroit Lions had already lost more games than they did in the entirety of 2014. Consequently, heads rolled; offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, President Tom Lewand and General Manager Martin Mayhew were among the casualties. Still, the Lions finished third in the NFC North division with a 7-9 record, which was nonetheless not enough to reach the postseason. More specifically, Detroit was eliminated from playoff contention after a loss to the St. Louis Rams in Week 14, ensuring their third losing season in the past four years.
What’s new?
The 2016 season will be the Lions’ 87th in the NFL (83 of which have been indeed spent as the Detroit Lions) and the third with head coach Jim Caldwell, who probably retained his job based on his survival skills alone. The new hirings started with new GM Bob Quinn. Additions to the roster include linebacker Jerry Franklin from the Saints, CB Johnson Bademosi from the Browns, DT Sefan Charles from the Bills, WR Marvin Jones from the Bengals, safety Rafael Bush from the Saints, WR Jeremy Kerley from the Jets, CB Darrin Walls also from the Jets, G Geoff Schwartz from the Giants, DE Wallace Gillberry from the Bengals, TE Matthew Mulligan from the Bills, RB Stevan Ridley from the Jets, LB Zaviar Gooden from the Titans, and WR Andre Caldwell from the Broncos. Additionally, the Lions resigned DT Tyrunn Walker, DT Haloti Ngata, CB Crezdon Butler, long snapper Don Muhlback, QB Dan Orlovski, LB Tahir Whitehead, and TE Tim Wright. In the 2016 draft, Detroit selected OT Taylor Decker as the 16th overall pick in the first round. They also picked DT A’Shawn Robinson, center Graham Glasgow, SS Miles Killebrew, OG Joe Dahl, QB Jake Rudock, DT Anthony Zettel, LS Jimmy Landes, and RB Dwayne Washington. They also signed several undrafted free agents, including WR Jace Billingsley from Easter Oregon. Conversely, the Lions released RB Joique Bell, DT C.J. Wilson, and center Darren Keyton. CB Rashean Mathis and WR Calvin Johnson retired.
What to expect
Detroit NFL betting fans can expect many new things from next season; cheerleaders, better wi-fi at Ford Field, pricier tickets. This will be the third straight year that franchise increases the price of admittance, but when you’re one of the least financially successful teams in the league, you have no choice but to be as niggardly as possible. Though one has to wonder why fans would pay more to see their team lose. Wouldn’t they rather bet on NFL on another, better outfit? Although to be fair, the Lions have invested a lot of that ticket money in their offensive line. The problem is, Lions NFL betting fans have yet to see the ROI. And while they may not be as good as, say, the Cowboys, Detroit’s OL starters should be at least better than the Bears or the Packers. But for that Larry Warford must play as he did in his rookie year, and Laken Tomlinson needs to up his physical and mental game, because he looked either a little too slow or too preoccupied last season.
Odds to win Super Bowl LI: +6750
