For NFL fans who still do not consider the Detroit Lions as a serious championship contender, that’s understandable. The Lions are the perennial downtrodden organization, correct?
Yes.
But now?
Sure, the franchise has not earned a league title since 1957 and managed to capture just five division titles over the past 90 seasons. But the 2024 edition looks different. They are becoming historically significant.
The Lions established themselves as a sports-betting front-runner to capture Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025. BetOnline Sportsbook listed the Lions (+400) over the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs (+450). It marks the first time the Lions have been favored to capture a league crown.
To understand the Lions’ focus this season, disbelievers should understand what the team endured last spring and summer. In the 2023 NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Lions allowed a 24-7 halftime lead to evaporate. Coach Dan Campell cued the game up at least three times for the players to relive.
Winners of eight straight, Campbell has the Lions, who are one of only three teams to never appear in a Super Bowl, motivated. The 9-1 start marks the team’s best start since 1934.
During last Sunday’s dismantling of the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, the Lions became the third team since 1941 to fall behind and then win by at least 46 points.
“We wanted to stay on the gas no matter what happened,” Campbell said, as reported per The Associated Press.
The Lions beat the Jaguars 52-6.
They scored touchdowns on their first seven drives and amassed a franchise record 644 yards on offense.
Detroit is 9-1 and atop the NFC. pic.twitter.com/xQQ0UnIp8H
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 17, 2024
Once Downtrodden Lions Now Making NFL History
Here are some other of the Lions’ trend-setting nuggets from Sunday:
- Quarterback Jared Goff compiled 412 passing yards and four touchdowns, recording a perfect passer rating of 158.3. Of the seven times a QB collected at least 400 yards, four TD passes and a perfect rating, Goff became the first to accomplish the feat more than once.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery each scored at least one touchdown for the eighth time over the past two seasons. The feat broke a league record among a trio of teammates.
- The 52-6 outcome marked the NFL’s 1,088th unique score, according to Scorigami.
- The margin of victory was the largest in franchise history.
- The Lions amassed at least 50 points in consecutive home games for just the fifth time in NFL history, joining the 2014 Green Bay Packers, 1969 Minnesota Vikings, 1966 Dallas Cowboys and 1950 Los Angeles Rams.
“We felt like we could call anything,” Goff said.
What’s next?
For the first time in history, the Detroit @Lions are the betting favorites to win Super Bowl LIX. After Sunday’s jaw-dropping 52-6 victory over the Jacksonville @Jaguars, the Lions now hold an incredible 9-1 record, tied for the best in the @NFL!
Could this finally be our… pic.twitter.com/C9FYqo5x15
— Detroitisit (@Detroitisit) November 19, 2024
Super Bowl LIX Odds
Here is an early look at Super Bowl LIX odds, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
| NFL Team |
Super Bowl LIX Odds |
|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | +400 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | +450 |
| Buffalo Bills | +650 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +750 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +800 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +1400 |
| Green Bay Packers | +1800 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +1800 |
| Houston Texans | +2200 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +2200 |
| Los Angles Chargers | +2500 |
| Washington Commanders | +4000 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +5000 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +5000 |
| Denver Broncos | +6600 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +6600 |
| Miami Dolphins | +6600 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +7500 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +7500 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +12500 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +12500 |
| New Orleans Saints | +25000 |
| Chicago Bears | +40000 |
| New York Jets | +40000 |
| Cleveland Browns | +75000 |
| Carolina Panthers | +100000 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +100000 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +100000 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +100000 |
| New England Patriots | +100000 |
| New York Giants | +125000 |
| Tennessee Titans | +125000 |
*-Odds current at time of publication
