Football odds almost have to be different on the Detroit Lions than they were a year ago when the team went 0-16. The Lions undoubtedly will win a game in 2009, perhaps a few, and if things go well they might even be favored in one game in 2009 football odds at the online sportsbook.Football odds last season were not a disaster on Detroit even though the team didn’t win a game. The Lions were a respectable 7-9 against the online betting pointspread. They just couldn’t get a win. That should change in 2009 now that Matt Millen is gone and because Matthew Stafford should be at quarterback.
Offensively the Lions are not without talent. If #1 draft pick Stafford gets the starting quarterback job he will have the supremely talented Calvin Johnson to throw to. Kevin Smith is a decent running back and overall the Lions should be able to score.
The problem for Detroit is that they have to improve their defense. It was last in the league in points allowed and in yards allowed as football odds numbers show. The Lions added linebackers Julian Peterson and Larry Foote in the off-season and they should help improve those numbers. The problem for Detroit is that they still have a lot of other defensive problems although the secondary looks like it might be decent with Eric King, Travis Fisher, Keith Smith, Philip Buchannon and Anthony Henry.
The Lions are almost assured of winning a game in 2009. If Stafford develops and Kevin Smith shows he is a quality running back then the offense could be decent. The defense is a problem but perhaps they can improve enough to keep the Lions in some games.
If everything goes well for the Lions they could win a few games and impact the football odds. They might even be favored at home at the online sportsbook against St. Louis if they are playing well when they host the Rams in early November.
Not many people are going to wager on the Lions to win the Super Bowl as they are listed at more than 100-1 in football odds. Taking the Lions during the season though could be profitable in online betting. Remember that Detroit went 7-9 against the football odds in a winless season in 2008. They could get on the winning side of the ledger in 2009.