Following the release of the 2015 NFL schedule last week, betting lines were established for the first 16 weeks of the season. The obvious disclaimer here is that it's still way too early to start thinking about individual matchups, especially considering the draft hasn't even happened yet. However, based on what has happened so far this offseason, what perception does Las Vegas have of the Detroit Lions? Via Covers.com, here is a rundown of betting lines for their 2015 schedule:
Week 1 - at San Diego Chargers | Chargers by 1.5
Week 2 - at Minnesota Vikings | Pick'em
Week 3 - vs. Denver Broncos | Pick'em
Week 4 - at Seattle Seahawks | Seahawks by 6.0
Week 5 - vs. Arizona Cardinals | Lions by 1.5
Week 6 - vs. Chicago Bears | Lions by 5.0
Week 7 - vs. Minnesota Vikings | Lions by 5.0
Week 8 - at Kansas City Chiefs | Lions by 1.0
Week 10 - at Green Bay Packers | Packers by 5.0
Week 11 - vs. Oakland Raiders | Lions by 8.5
Week 12 - vs. Philadelphia Eagles | Lions by 2.0
Week 13 - vs. Green Bay Packers | Pick'em
Week 14 - at St. Louis Rams | Rams by 1.5
Week 15 - at New Orleans Saints | Pick'em
Week 16 - vs. San Francisco 49ers | Lions by 1.5
Week 17 - at Chicago Bears | No line available
Overall, the Lions are favored in seven games and are the underdog in four games. In addition, four other games are listed as pick'ems, meaning neither team is favored.
In other words, Vegas sees the Lions as a pretty good bet to win seven games and lose four, with four other games being viewed as toss-ups (plus a fifth game that doesn't currently have a line). If that actually turns out to be the case, then the Lions' playoff hopes would ultimately come down to what kind of record they have in those toss-up games. 7-4 is a decent starting point given how tough this schedule looks on paper, but for the Lions to return to the playoffs for a second consecutive year, they would have to take care of business in those toss-up games.