Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions experienced more success last year than in any other season this decade, and when you consider they went 7-9, that's kind of sad. Detroit won six of its first eight games last season, and looked on the verge of its first non-losing season since 2000. But a 1-7 finish, including that excruciating 28-27 loss to Dallas in Week 14, kept the Lions from .500. And even after their hot start, Detroit could only go 6-9-1 against the spread on the NFL betting lines.

Running OC Mike Martz’s pass-happy attack, the Lions ranked 19^th in total offense last year at 323 YPG, and 31^st in rushing with an anemic 80.5 YPG. So Martz has been let go, and replaced by Jim Colletto, who will definitely have this team running the ball more. This should make QB Jon Kitna happy; he's been sacked 114 times over the last two seasons, while compiling a 39/42 TD/INT ratio.

While third-year head coach Rod Marinelli came from a defensive background, Detroit ranked dead last in the league in total defense last year at 378 YPG, and 23^rd vs. the run at 119 YPG. They also gave up more points, 444, than any other team in the league. The Lions also ranked 29^th in total yardage at -55 per game and 31^st in average time-of-possession at -4:34.

Detroit let RBs Kevin Jones and TJ Duckett go over the offseason, and will apparently rely on Tatum Bell and maybe third-round pick Kevin Smith to jump-start the running game. And several defensive imports were brought in to help the Lions get tougher, both physically and mentally, on that side of the ball. Whether that makes a difference in terms of football betting remains to be seen.

Last year Detroit broke a streak of six consecutive seasons of at least 10 losses. That's a step in the right direction. There are signs Marinelli has got this team on the move. The WR combo of Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams could become one of the best in the league. Kitna ain't pretty, but he's got some ability and experience. If they can run the ball at least some, and keep the defense off the field a little more, that defense should improve.

This could be a very important year for this franchise. If the Lions can just win two more games than last year, that's nine wins; and 9-7 has gotten many teams into the playoffs. A playoff berth could be a springboard to something better down the line. Then again, maybe they'll just be the same old sorry Lions.