Can an NFL football team play worse than last year’s Detroit Lions? No … they set the all-time record for futility by losing every game they played. When the season ended, the Lions’ won-loss record was, incredibly, 0-16.
It’s not easy to lose 16 games in an NFL season. In fact, before the Lions accomplished it in the 2008-2009 Season, it had never before been done. NEVER!!!

But years of poor or questionable draft picks, it seemed like they always used their yearly first round pick for a wide receiver … poor off-the-field management … mediocre on-field coaching … and amazingly - it all “hit the fan” this past season. And yet, there may be a silver thread in the very dark cloud that has been hovering over The Detroit Lions. Experts agree that the team pulled off its first good draft in years and addressed many of the glaring on-field needs that have led to so much losing.

If true, it means that the Lions will be much more respectable on offense with a better O-Line … on defense with improved pass rush players … on special teams … and maybe - hopefully - in their coaching, as well. The Lions better improve in each of these facets of the game. Another huge losing season would be devastating to the franchise.
Moreover, chronic losing leads to lots of empty seats in the stands. In a league where just about every team is raking in big money, you can be sure the team from Detroit doesn’t want to go in the other direction.

So, if you’re a fan of the Lions, or better yet, you’re someone who enjoys betting on the games, what can you expect from Detroit in 2009-2010? You can expect the unexpected - no joke! This team will be young … rebuilding … with some decent talent on both sides of the ball and on special teams. They’ll be hungry, maybe ravenous after losing 16 games … and they’ll probably play hard wire-to-wire, going from opening gun until the last second ticks off the clock.

Hard, motivated and spirited play doesn’t guarantee winning bets, but it does provide you - the person making the bet - with a reason to plunk down some of your hard-earned cash on Detroit. One thing you know: they’ll probably be the underdog in most games … and that should give you a gambling edge.

In fact, after they’ve played two or three games, you will also probably know if games involving Detroit are worth “over” or “under” bets … if getting 6, 7 or even 10 points will give you a real shot at winner or just “a puncher’s chance.” You’ll know a lot. But betting is still a gamble, proceed with caution, you may need it if you put your money on Detroit.