The Detroit Lions outperformed expectations in 2016, winning nine games when many expected them to take a step back after the loss of star wide receiver Calvin Johnson. If they can take another unlikely step forward, they could be in the mix for the conference championship in 2017, but those odds will be gone.
Detroit may have gone 9-7 a season ago, but it had a negative point-differential and was a bit lucky to finish above the .500 mark. The Lions have some strong pieces but the entirety of the roster isn’t the best in the division, as the Green Bay Packers are the favorites to win the NFC North and the Minnesota Vikings also have better odds.
Detroit is closer to the bottom of the NFC than the top, and the hope has to be that running back Ameer Abdullah has a breakout year and quarterback Matthew Stafford dominates. The Lions will need everything to go right to truly have a chance at making it to the Super Bowl, but if it actually happens, those who chose the longshot will be paid handsomely for their faith in the team.
NFC Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Seahawks +444
Green Bay Packers +460
Atlanta Falcons +472
Dallas Cowboys +620
New York Giants +888
Carolina Panthers +1350
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1650
Philadelphia Eagles +1700
Minnesota Vikings +1800
Arizona Cardinals +1853
New Orleans Saints +2405
Detroit Lions +2900
Washington Redskins +3000
Chicago Bears +7500
Los Angeles Rams +8000
San Francisco 49ers +8500
Key Players for Winning the NFC
Matthew Stafford – The Lions quarterback adapted fine last year without Johnson. Stafford finished the season throwing for 4,327 yards with 24 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. The pick total was lower than normal, and the goal for Stafford will be to once again limit turnovers. Detroit had several different wide receivers step up. Golden Tate had 91 catches for 1,077 yards and four touchdowns, while Marvin Jones added 55 catches for 930 yards and four scores. They are back and Stafford needs to find them both regularly in 2017.
Eric Ebron- The Lions spent a high draft pick on the athletic tight end, but he’s yet to put it all together in the pros. Ebron did show some flashes of potential last season, finishing with 61 catches for 711 yards and a score. If he can take another big step forward, it would be a huge boost to the Lions’ chances to excel.
Darius Slay- The Lions have gotten a big boost to their defense with the presence of Slay, who has turned into an elite cornerback. Slay had 44 tackles and a pair of interceptions on the season. He will likely get the job of guarding top receivers this season, and if he can do a nice job, it will be a big boost to the team’s defense. The NFL is a pass-heavy league, and if Stafford steps up one one side and Slay joins the other Detroit defensive backs to slow down opposing quarterbacks, the Lions could definitely make a push into the playoffs. Once a team gets there, it only needs to get hot for a few weeks to make the postseason. While it’s unlikely, these may be the two most important factors for Detroit’s fortunes.
A’Shawn Robinson - The Lions spent a first-round pick recently on the talented defensive tackle. Robinson started five games and finished the season with 30 tackles and a pair of sacks. The Lions have traditionally had dominant players rushing the passer, including Ndamukong Suh and Ezekiel Ansah. Robinson hopes to be the next player to fill that spot and he has all the talent in the world to do so. Pressuring the quarterback is always a huge task and the Lions have a player in Robinson who should be able to be an asset in that category.
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