NFL Futures: The Detroit Lions have been a model of mediocrity, inconsistency, and futility for the past five decades as the only one of the original franchises to have never made the Super Bowl. The Lions teased handicappers and fans in 2011 with a 10-win playoff season but then imploded with just four wins in 2012 and seven wins in 2013. The inability to maintain success finally cost head coach Jim Schwartz his job as he was fired for new head coach Jim Caldwell, who had decent success with the Indianapolis Colts, making a Super Bowl, before getting fired when Peyton Manning could not answer the bell. Detroit is counting on Caldwell to lead them back to the post season with his past credibility with the Colts as a selling point. Detroit opened as a 33/1 choice to win the Super Bowl, an 18/1 choice to win the NFC championship, and with an over under win total of 8.5 -105 over -125 under.
Stafford Gets a Cup of Joe
New offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi will be charged with tightening up QB Matt Stafford who, while holding may Lions passing records, has also been sloppy with 14 turnovers in the final seven games last year.
Handicapper’s Notes
Detroit has covered the spread in just seven out of their last 19 games at home with just eight out of their last 20 home games going under the total. The Lions have been a terrible board value on the road with a mark of just five payouts in their last 20 road games as just seven out of their last 19 away games have gone under the total. Detroit has covered the spread in just six out of their last 17 games as a favorite with just seven out of their last 19 games as a chalk going under the total. The Lions have covered the spread in just four out of their last 15 games as a dog with just five out of their last 14 games as a pup going over the total.
Our Prognosis
Usually the new head coach coming in gets at least something of a grace period but that will not be the case for Caldwell, who inherits a veteran roster that is tied up with little cap space. In handicapping this team, expect the Lions to do what the Lions do.
