Detroit Lions Over/Under Wins Odds 2021:Under, Under, Under
Things are going to get worse before they get better for Lions' fans. Stafford for Goff is not a great swap and Zach Rainey thinks the under is the play...
We all knew this day would come.
It probably won’t be pleasant. I’m dreading writing this. But let’s take a look at the Detroit Lions.
Yes, I’m being a little dramatic, but that’s how the fan base feels literally every year. How do you think they feel?
One bright spot of their team last season was D’Andre Swift, who rushed for 521 yards and 114 and eight touchdowns. His impact was felt through the air as well, as he finished tied with Danny Amendola for the third-most receptions on the team last year.
It remains to be seen who the more traditional between the tackles running back the Lions will have. They brought in Todd Gurley II at one point, but nothing ever came of it. However, reports from people closer to the organization think he could be someone they bring in for the start of training camp.
They have a legitimate elite talent at tight end in T.J. Hockenson, who had 67 receptions for 723 yards, second most on the team.
It made headlines when the Los Angeles Rams traded for Matthew Stafford this offseason, landing California boy Jared Goff in Detroit.
To make matters worse, Goff won’t have either Marvin Jones or Kenny Golladay, as both left town in free agency.
Instead, Goff will have guys like Tyrell Williams, who hasn’t played since 2019. Who else you ask? On the other side of Williams will be speedster Breshad Perriman who had 505 yards for the Jets last season. Likely No. 3 receiver will be former Green Bay Packer Geronimo Allison.
The offensive line might be the best unit of this entire team. Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow will continue to be consistent as first-round pick Penei Sewell eases in at right tackle. The pick wasn’t a sexy one, but Sewell is going to be a 10-year starter in this league and was a great pick for a team that needs everything.
Former New England Patriots standouts Trey Flowers and Jamie Collins are their best players in the front-seven. Michael Brockers will play for a team other than the Rams for the first time in his career as the left defensive end.
One player they took in the draft I liked was Ifeatu Melifonwu. A 6-foot-3 213-point corner that’s quick for his size cent hurt this secondary.
Maybe I’ll be wrong and one of these units steps up and surprises us all. But in Jeff Caldwell’s first year as head coach, it will be about building a culture in year one. They will need to continue to draft well, but I have a feeling that the Lions will be in play for one of the draft’s top quarterbacks next May.
The Lions have a very difficult start to their season, facing the San Francisco 49ers in what could be one of Jimmy Garoppolo’s last games, or Trey Lance’s first career start.
After that, they’re on the road at Green Bay and home against Baltimore. I have them losing both.
When their Week 4 match-up with Chicago comes, it’ll be my expectation that the Bears will be playing Fields by then. If it’s Andy Dalton, I’ll chalk it up to Detroit. If it’s Fields, I’m leaning Chicago.
They’ll fall at Minnesota at Week 5, but could edge out the Bengals if their offensive line still has leaks. After a loss to the Chargers, I have Detroit beating Philly in Week 8 before the Bye.
After three consecutive losses after the Bye, they’ll get a week 13 at home against the Vikings and on the road against Atlanta.
However, I still have Detroit coming in at 4-13 this season.
The over/under win total for the Lions is five. Like I said above, they could steal one against Chicago if Dalton is still the starting quarterback. Even then, it’s a push. Under 5 wins is currently around -115 and -120, so Vegas thinks it could get ugly in the D this year as well.
