What are the Lions Playoff Chances?
The Lions are the clear favorites in the NFC North in 2024, with +130 odds to win the division again. Coming off its first divisional crown since 1993, Detroit returns enough of its production from last season to have the second-shortest odds to win the NFC Conference (+550), according to ESPN BET Michigan, trailing behind San Francisco.
Betting odds indicate how likely or unlikely an outcome is to happen, we can use those odds to calculate the implied probability of the outcome in question.
Implied probability is just one of the tools we can use to better understand the Lions playoff picture and postseason odds. Some other resources include the ESPN Football Power Index (FPI), a tool used to predict each team's performance throughout the season by assigning numeric grades for each team's offensive, defensive, and special teams units. The sum of these three values is known as the FPI (the higher the number, the better the team).
Detroit Lions Playoff Chances: Week-by-Week
The Lions playoff chances have greatly increased since the start of the 2023 season. The Lions started the season with -165 playoff odds prior to Week 1 and shortened all the way to -20000 from Weeks 11-14. The Lions playoffs odds lengthened after their bad loss in Week 15, but they still sit at -10000.
- Entering Week 1: -165 playoff odds (62.3% implied probability)
- Entering Week 2: -350 playoff odds (77.8% implied probability)
- Entering Week 3: -200 playoffs odds (66.7 implied probability)
- Entering Week 4: -225 playoff odds (69.2 implied probability)
- Entering Week 5: -475 playoff odds (82.6% implied probability)
- Entering Week 6: -1100 playoff odds (91.7% implied probability)
- Entering Week 7: -6000 playoff odds (98.4% implied probability)
- Entering Week 8: -4000 playoff odds (97.6% implied probability)
- Entering Week 9: -10000 playoff odds (99.0% implied probability)
- Entering Week 10: -10000 playoff odds (99.0% implied probability)
- Entering Week 11: -20000 playoff odds (99.5% implied probability)
- Entering Week 12: -20000 playoff odds (99.5% implied probability)
- Entering Week 13: -20000 playoff odds (99.5% implied probability)
- Entering Week 14: -20000 playoff odds (99.5% implied probability)
- Entering Week 15: -10000 playoff odds (99% implied probability)
- Entering Week 16: Greater than 99% implied probability
Be sure to bookmark this page, and check back weekly, as we'll update the Lions playoff odds after each game this season.
Detroit Lions Schedule and Betting Lines
The full NFL schedule isn't fully released until May. So, for now, take a look at who the Lions will play until we update this section with the latest 2024 Lions odds.
Home Opponents:
- Green Bay Packers
- Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Buffalo Bills
Away Opponents:
- Green Bay Packers
- Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings
- Arizona Cardinals
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- San Francisco 49ers
- Dallas Cowboys
The Lions finished the 2023 regular season with a 12-5 record and NFC North Champions.
Lions Playoff Chances: Key Updates April 2024
Throughout the offseason, the Lions will make several moves through the NFL Draft and via trades, Here's a look at some of the biggest Detroit Lions' headlines so far:
- 📆 March 14, 2024: Following a historic season, the Lions announced contract extensions through 2027 for head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes.
- 📆 March 13, 2024: Detroit trades a 2024 third-round draft pick for Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout cornerback Carlton Davis III to bolster the Lions' struggling pass defense. The deal included two sixth-round picks.
- 📆 March 11, 2024: GM Brad Holmes started the free agency period by re-signing offensive guard, and Michigan native, Graham Glasgow to a three-year contract worth $20 million.
- 📆 February 4, 2024: The Lions send eight different players to the NFL Pro Bowl, including both running backs, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta.
- 📆 January 28, 2024: Dan Campbell's refusal to kick field goals in the red zone ultimately keeps Detroit out of the Super Bowl, losing to the 49ers, 34-31, and blowing a 24-7 halftime lead.
- 📆 January 21, 2024: The Lions win another playoff game at home, defeating Tampa Bay, 31-23, earning a berth in the NFC Championship Game since 1991.
- 📆 January 14, 2024: At Ford Field, the Lions defeat the Rams, 24-23, to win their first home playoff game since 1992.
- 📆 December 18, 2023: The Lions opened up the practice window for starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson who has been out since Week 3 with a torn pectoral muscle.
- 📆 December 5, 2023: The Lions place 3rd-year breakout DT Alim McNeill on IR with knee injury and sign free agent DT Tyson Alualu to the practice squad.
- 📆 November 21, 2023: The Lions start selling postseason tickets to season-ticket holders.
- 📆 November 7, 2023: Starting RB David Montgomery returned to practice after missing the Lions last three games with a rib injury.
We'll continue to update you on the latest Detroit Lions news and transactions throughout the season, so bookmark this article and check back often.
Key Contributors Toward Lions Playoff Chances
Lions quarterback Jared Goff currently has the 10th-best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook to win 2023 NFL MVP at +10000. Goff has had some struggles over the middle part of the season, but got back on track in Week 15 with 5 passing touchdowns without an interception.
The Lions are the only team in the NFL to have 5 players with 500+ scrimmage yards & 5+ TD in 2023. (RB David Montgomery, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR Josh Reynolds and TE Sam LaPorta). Gibbs currently has +2000 odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 (T-2nd-best odds among all candidates, behind only Texans' QB C.J. Stroud).
Lions head coach Dan Campbell is currently the odds favorite to win Coach of the Year in 2023 with +200 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Where Can I Bet on the Lions to Make the Playoffs?
Michigan sportsbook apps have started to eliminate playoff odds for the top teams in the NFL as they get close to clinching a playoff birth, and this includes the Detroit Lions who can clinch the playoffs in Week 16.
You can still bet on the Lions to win the Super Bowl on most major sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars, as long as you are 21+ and within state lines of a state that offers legal sports betting.
Before placing your Lions wager, it's definitely worthwhile to check out the latest Michigan betting promos available to make sure you're getting the most out of your bet.
Related: Make sure to try out the new Fanatics Sportsbook Michigan when it launches in Michigan.
Looking Ahead: Lions Playoff Picture
The Lions righted their wrongs in the 2023 season, proving to every team in the league that they're a legitimate contender right now.
Heading into the 2024 season, the narrative surrounding this once-forgotten franchise is flipped upside down. From underdogs a year ago to now having a giant target on their back, Detroit is among the five most heavily favored teams to win the Super Bowl.
Last season, making the playoffs was enough to dub the season a success. The improbable run to the NFC title game was considered an overachievement; however, this season, anything less than a trip to the Super Bowl would disappoint the fan base and coaching staff alike.
Do the Lions Have a Chance to Make the Playoffs?
Yes, the Lions made the playoffs in 2023. Now, their sights are set on repeating it and getting redemption in the NFC Championship Game after blowing a three-possession lead at halftime last season.
Are the Lions Out of Playoffs?
No, the Detroit Lions are definitely NOT out of the playoffs. And in 2024, if they somehow miss the postseason, the season would be a complete failure.
Where Do the Detroit Lions Rank in the NFC North?
The Detroit Lions won the NFC North in 2023. Heading into the 2024 season, they're the heavy favorites to do it again, with most sportsbooks having them at +145 or shorter to go back-to-back with the division.
Where Do the Detroit Lions Rank in the NFC Standings?
The Lions (12-5) are the 3 seed in the NFC. They are behind the 49ers (1) and the Cowboys (2).
The rest of the playoff field is made up by the Eagles, Packers, Rams, and Buccaneers.
Can the Detroit Lions Get the No. 1 Seed?
No, the San Francisco 49ers are the No. 1 Seed in the NFC.
Who to Root for if You're a Detroit Lions Fan
Lions fans will want to root for the Green Bay Packers in the NFC. If the Packers and Lions both advance, Detroit will host the NFC Championship game.
Detroit Lions Postseason Outlook and Predictions
The Lions are currently +850 to win the Super Bowl. Their odds shortened significantly after defeating the Rams and the Cowboys losing in the first round.
Photo courtesy of Junfu Han (USA Today Network)
Detroit Lions Playoffs FAQs
100%. The Detroit Lions clinched a spot in the playoffs after winning the NFC North Division. This is the Lions' first trip to the playoffs since 2016. They play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night.
No, the Detroit Lions aren't out of the playoffs. They are very likely to make the playoffs in 2023. As we enter Week 16, the Lions have one of the highest probabilities in the NFL to make the playoffs in 2023.The Lions have started the season 10-4 and have a 3-game lead in the NFC North.
Yes, the Lions made the playoffs.
Playoff odds are no longer live for the Detroit Lions on all major sportsbooks. However, you can still bet on the Lions to win the Super Bowl on DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM and FanDuel. Sports betting was legalized in the state of Michigan — home to the Lions — back in 2021. Bettors can wager both at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks as well as online sportsbooks.
Author
The veteran team of Michigan sports betting and casino experts behind BetMichigan.com help you find the best Michigan sportsbooks and online casinos that are right for you.
