The Detroit Lions went winless in their first eight games last season and were the onlookers of some heartbreaking defeats but despair turned into optimism as they finished their season with three wins and a tie in their last nine games. Even though the Lions almost nabbed the first overall pick in last year’s draft, their season wasn’t as bad as the Jacksonville Jaguars, who inherited the prized choice. Detroit lost six games by a touchdown or less and were competitive in most of its games. Prior to last season, the Lions acquired quarterback Jared Goff who fell out of favor with the Rams after taken them to a Super Bowl. The former first overall draft pick struggled in his first season but putting the blame at Goff’s feet would be a mistake. The Lions did not have great weapons for Goff.
Despite his labors, Goff was respectable with 67.2% completion rate with 19 TDs and 8 picks in 14 games. The surprise on offense was WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, who hauled in 90 catches for 912 yards and 5 scores in his rookie campaign. The Lions were short-handed far too often with TE TJ Hockenson missing five games and RB D’Andre Swift only playing 9 games last season. The Lions added WR D.J. Chark from Jacksonville on a one-year prove-it deal. If Chark pans out, Goff will have two weapons until first-round pick Jameson Williams returns from a torn ACL he suffered in the National Championship in January. The Lions’ offensive line played fairly well and with first round pick from 2020 T Penei Sewell entering his second season, the unit should be able to keep Goff upright.
Defensively, this is the area the Lions focused their energy in a big way in the offseason. They added free agent CB Mike Hughes, who was a starter for the Chiefs last season, and linebackers Chris Board and Jarrad Davis. It was in the draft that the Lions made their biggest splash by nabbing edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson second overall. The Michigan product has plenty of expectations being layered upon him especially being a local. The Lions also drafted safety Kerby Joseph in the third round along with an underrated tackler in linebacker Malcom Rodriguez, both of whom will add speed and tackling to the Lions’ defensive unit. The Lions also locked up safety Tracy Walker III with a three-year, $25 million deal. The Louisiana product had his best season as a pro, leading Detroit with 108 tackles while allowing only two TDs in coverage in 15 games.
Their toughest matchups this coming season will be two games against the Packers but other than that, they do have a relatively easy schedule. They play the NFC East and also have winnable games against Seattle, Jacksonville, NY Jets, Carolina and also play the Bears on a couple of occasions.
Detroit Lions Offseason Moves:
Notable Additions: WR D.J. Chark, LB Chris Board, LB Jarrad Davis, CB Mike Hughes
Notable Departures: WR Josh Reynolds, OT Tyrell Crosby, DE Trey Flowers, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
1st and 2nd Draft Picks: DE Aidan Hutchinson (2), WR Jameson Williams (12), DE Josh Pascal (46)
2022-23 Detroit Lions NFL Futures Odds
- Odds to win the 2023 Super Bowl LVII: 125/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 NFC Conference: 60/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 NFC North: +1000
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Under 2½ (-150)
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes +350 | No -550
- Official website: detroitlions.com
- Twitter Account : @Lions
The Bottom Line:
The way the Lions rallied from a 0-10-1 start and fought to the finish almost every week thereafter validated head coach Dan Campbell’s fiery disposition. Whether Goff and the offense can do enough to turn some of those close loses into victories this year is the big question heading into 2022. That’s a sign of bad luck and perhaps shows that they aren’t too far off from a breakout season.
Last year’s record: 3-13-1
My Prediction: 9-8
2022-23 Detroit Lions Stage of Elimination
- To Miss the Playoffs +110
- To Lose in Wildcard Round +250
- To Lose in Divisional Round +375
- To Lose in Conference Championship Game +750
- To Lose in Super Bowl +1600
- To Win Super Bowl +1600
Odds According to Bovada as of September, 2022
2022-23 Detroit Lions Season Team Specials
D’Andre Swift & Jamaal Williams over 1749.5 combined Reg season Rushing yards +125
Any DET Lions player to have over 999.5 Reg season Rushing yards +160
Jared Goff to have over 349.5 Passing yards in at least 3 Reg season games +240
Jared Goff over 23.5 Reg season Passing TDs & D’Andre Swift over 6.5 Reg season Rushing TDs +250
Any DET Lions player to have over 1249.5 Reg season Receiving yards +300
Jared Goff over 3999.5 Reg season Passing yards & over 24.5 Reg season Passing TDs +300
Amon-Ra St. Brown & TJ Hockenson combined Over 1549.5 Reg Season Receiving Yards +325
D’Andre Swift to have over 149.5 Rush yards in at least 2 Reg season games +800
Aengus NFL Season Special Prediction on Lions:
- Goff will go over 4,000 yards passing
- D’Andre Swift will go over 1,000 yards rushing
- Detroit will not finish last in the NFC North
- St. Brown will go over 1,200 yards receiving
- Hockenson will go over 1,000 yards receiving
- Hutchinson will go over 8.5 sacks in 2022
Season Props According to Bovada as of September, 2022
Bet on the Detroit Lions 2022-23 Season Props at Bovada Sportsbook.
Detroit Lions 2022-23 Schedule
| PRESEASON | |||||
| W. | Date | Time | Opponent | Game site | TV |
| 1 | 12-Aug | Atlanta Falcons | Ford Field | ||
| 2 | 20-Aug | at Indianapolis Colts | Lucas Oil Stadium | ||
| 3 | 28-Aug | at Pittsburgh Steelers | Acrisure Stadium | ||
| REGULAR SEASON | |||||
| W. | Date | Time | Opponent | Game site | TV |
| 1 | 11-Sep | 1:00 p.m. | Philadelphia Eagles | Ford Field | Fox |
| 2 | 18-Sep | 1:00 p.m. | Washington Commanders | Ford Field | Fox |
| 3 | 25-Sep | 1:00 p.m. | at Minnesota Vikings | U.S. Bank Stadium | Fox |
| 4 | 2-Oct | 1:00 p.m. | Seattle Seahawks | Ford Field | Fox |
| 5 | 9-Oct | 1:00 p.m. | at New England Patriots | Gillette Stadium | Fox |
| 6 | Bye | ||||
| 7 | 23-Oct | 1:00 p.m. | at Dallas Cowboys | AT&T Stadium | CBS |
| 8 | 30-Oct | 1:00 p.m. | Miami Dolphins | Ford Field | CBS |
| 9 | 6-Nov | 1:00 p.m. | Green Bay Packers | Ford Field | Fox |
| 10 | 13-Nov | 1:00 p.m. | at Chicago Bears | Soldier Field | Fox |
| 11 | 20-Nov | 1:00 p.m. | at New York Giants | MetLife Stadium | Fox |
| 12 | 24-Nov | 12:30 p.m. | Buffalo Bills | Ford Field | CBS |
| 13 | 4-Dec | 1:00 p.m. | Jacksonville Jaguars | Ford Field | Fox |
| 14 | 11-Dec | 1:00 p.m. | Minnesota Vikings | Ford Field | Fox |
| 15 | 18-Dec | 1:00 p.m. | at New York Jets | MetLife Stadium | Fox |
| 16 | 24-Dec | 1:00 p.m. | at Carolina Panthers | Bank of America Stadium | Fox |
| 17 | 1-Jan | 1:00 p.m. | Chicago Bears | Ford Field | Fox |
| 18 | Jan 7/8 | TBD | at Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field | TBD |
All Time EST
Bet on the Detroit Lions 2022-23 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
