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2013 Lions Preview & NFL Football Future Lines & Pick

2013 Detroit Predictions

The Detroit Lions looked to capitalize on a huge 2011 season, but promise turned to letdown as the boys from Motor City finished the 2012-13 campaign with an overall record of 4-12.

With NFL football betting times just a short time away, Cappers Picks NFL handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team NFL Season Predictions & Previews for those of us who can’t wait. Bet on the 2014 Super Bowl winner, plus 2013/14 Conference and Divisional winners.

2012 Record: 4-12
ATS: 5-10-1
Detroit Odds to win the 2014 NFC North Division: +600
Detroit Odds to win the 2014 NFC Conference: 26/1
Detroit Odds to win the 2014 Super Bowl XLVIII: 60/1

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With a 4-4 record through the first half of the season, it appeared Detroit had enough momentum to get things turned around and make a late push for a playoff spot, but instead, they finished the season with eight straight losses.

Now the Lions will aim to prove that their shinning 2011 was not a fluke as they look to put an end to the franchise’s long-suffering run.

Despite a horrible finish last season, according to the numbers, Detroit actually did not do that bad, as its offense piled up a ton of yards, fishing the campaign with an average of 408.8 total yards per game.

In fact, Detroit’s offense was second only to New England and New Orleans.

That offensive push was led by reinvented quarterback Mathew Stafford, who  racked up a whopping 4,967 passing yards, most of which were hauled in by wide receiver Calvin Johnson who had a breakout season.

Johnson set the all-time NFL single-season record for receiving yards with 1,964.

So by now you are probably wondering why Detroit tanked.

Well, remarkably, the pair only connected for five touchdown passes — yes five.

Meanwhile, Stafford finished with only 20 TD tosses overall for the entire season.
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It is that lack of the not being able to finish drives that resulted in a pitiful 23.3 points per game average — something the Lions hope pass-catching running back Reggie Bush will be able to help change.

Besides being explosive on the run, Bush will bring some much-needed versatility to the Lions’ offense to help the team put up more points in 2013.

Meanwhile, the Detroit defense shared in the team’s misery last season, finishing just under the league average in both rushing and passing yardage.

The Lions ranked 27th in points surrendered allowing 27.3 points per game, and were no doubt disappointed in the play of Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh, who both have the physical potential to be the best defensive tackle duo in the game, but will need to cut back on mental mistakes if they want to elevate their game to the next level.

They will also need stay healthy if they want to help Detroit get back on track.

Lions Betting Outlook:

I really think the Lions will improve this season, but they will have to find a way to put more points on the scoreboard, controlling possession and giving the defense more wiggle room.

When looking at talent alone, it is not a stretch to predict a 9-7 season in Detroit, but with concerns about the team’s leadership and character, it is more likely that the Lions will finish at the bottom of the NFC North — again.

However, if the team can pull together and live up to expectations on both sides of the football, the talent  is there to compete for a playoff spot, especially Johnson, who at his least-productive, is still more than capable of n 1,100-yard, 10 touchdown season.

One thing for sure — it will be interesting to see what individual talent can do as a team, showing what the Lions are really made of this season.

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By Matt Martz

Matt has returned to CappersPicks.com. The pull was too great. He missed providing his free picks and insider sports gambling analysis to his loyal readers. Please take it easy on him till he gets back into his groove. Cheers!