Categories
NFL

2011 NFL Preview: Lions Super Bowl XLVI Betting Lines

Dave Schwab weighs in with his analysis and handicapping insight for the Lions 2011 Super Bowl XLVI gambling lines, and futures betting. Plus the Detroit Lions NFC North Odds, NFC Championship breakdown and more…

Superbowl 46 Betting Online – 2011 Lions Season Preview

There is a certain buzz surrounding Detroit heading into the 2011 season that this may be the year everything comes together for a return to the postseason.

NFL 2011 Team Preview and Odds- Detroit Lions
Odds to win the NFC North +550
Odds to win the NFC 15/1
Odds to win the Super Bowl 30/1
Win Total 8

The last time the Lions had a winning record was in 2000 and they have not finished higher than third in the NFC North since a second-place finish in 1995.

None the less, a healthy Matthew Stafford at quarterback and a defense anchored by last season’s ‘defensive rookie of the year’ Ndamukong Suh has people even outside of the Motor City bullish on their chances this year.

Lions Super Bowl Lines & Predictions

A big part of Detroit’s chances depend on Stafford’s ability to remain healthy for an entire 16-game schedule. The promising young QB was the first overall pick in the 2009 draft, but has only started 13 games in his first two seasons while being plagued with a variety of shoulder injuries.

The good news is that he is reportedly 100 percent healed and ready to go. Another health concern is with running back Jahvid Best, who led the team with 555 rushing yards last season. He was knocked-out of a preseason game against Cleveland with a concussion and his playing status remains up in the air at this time. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

This follows the loss of rookie RB Mikel Leshoure for the season with a torn Achillies’ tendon.

The biggest injury concern for the Lions is on the defensive side of the ball as first-round draft pick defensive lineman Nick Fairley recovers from foot surgery.

It will still be a couple of weeks until he is cleared to play, but the thought of Fairley paired with Suh on the defensive front has to have defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham licking his chops at all the different ways these two can be used terrorize the opposing team’s backfield.

The Lions open the season on the road at Tampa Bay, then face Kansas City, Chicago, and Atlanta at home and Dallas on the road in the first seven weeks of the season. Anything close to a .500 record through this stretch could set the stage for their first winning record in over a decade.

Late season games against New Orleans, San Diego, and Green Bay could easily derail this from happening, but there are enough wins on the schedule to improve upon last year’s 6-10 record.

2011 Prediction: 8-8 and second in the NFC North

With NFL Training camps already starting Cappers Picks NFL Football handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team Football Predictions and NFL Season Previews for those of us who can’t wait.

Bet on the Super Bowl XLVI winner, plus 2011 Conference and Divisional winners today.

CHECK OUT OUR BEST NFL HANDICAPPERS FOR 2011 – click here now!

By Dave Schwab

David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.