One of the most improved teams in 2010 vs. the NFL betting odds could be the Detroit Lions but it may not show early in the year because of their schedule. The Lions have a very tough opening couple of months which could make it difficult for them to get many wins. Making an NFL bet on the Lions probably won’t be popular but Detroit could be a team that covers the spread more often than not.NFL betting odds will list Detroit as underdogs in their first four games of the season. They are underdogs at Chicago in Week 1. They will be getting points at home against Philadelphia in Week 2. They will be big underdogs in Weeks 3 and 4 at Minnesota and Green Bay respectively. Their first winnable game comes in Week 5 as they host the St. Louis Rams.
Detroit made a lot of improvements in the off-season and the Lions are not going to be a laughing stock this season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is no longer a rookie and the Lions defense is going to be better. Those making an NFL bet will notice that the Lions will be favored in Week 5 against the Rams but they will be underdogs in Week 6 at the Giants. The Lions get their bye in Week 7. They then host the Washington Redskins in Week 8 and the New York Jets in Week 9. They have a winnable game at Buffalo in Week 10 before a tough matchup in Dallas in Week 11. They will host the New England Patriots in their annual Thanksgiving game in Week 12.
The latter part of the schedule for Detroit is favorable as they play three of their final five games at home and the only two road games are in Florida. The Lions host Chicago in Week 13 and Green Bay in Week 14. They go on a two-game road trip to Florida as they are at Tampa Bay in what should be a winnable game in Week 15 and then at Miami in Week 16. They finish up the season by hosting Minnesota in Week 17.
The Lions were just 2-14 against the spread last season. It is almost a guarantee they are going to be better than that this season. The Lions may not finish with a winning record straight up because of their tough schedule but they should be above .500 vs. the point spread.