The Detroit Lions defeated the Atlanta Falcons 20-6 on Sunday to improve to 2-1 this season. The convincing Week 3 win was highlighted by seven sacks on defense and a breakout eight-catch, 84-yard day from rookie tight end Sam LaPorta. It has been a promising start to the 2023 campaign, but jaded fans in Michigan might be waiting for the other shoe to drop even as they check out Detroit Lions Super Bowl odds.
The Lions have one NFL game remaining in September — this Thursday against the Packers — but BetMichigan.com is already turning our attention to the second month of the season by tracking the best and worst October teams since 2018. Here is where the Lions wound up:
10 Worst NFL Records In October Since 2018
With the help of StatMuse.com, we found the October win/loss records for all 32 NFL teams over the past five years and ranked them from 1 to 32 based on win percentage. The results don’t look good for the residents of Ford Field but, in a weak NFC North, the Detroit Lions playoff chances just might.
Detroit ranks No. 30 in winning percentage for October games in the past five seasons, out of 32 teams, The Lions are 5-13 for a .278 winning percentage in that stretch. Only two Florida teams – the Miami Dolphins at 5-14 (.263) and the Jacksonville Jaguars at 3-17 (.150) are worse.
The best team in October since 2018 is the New Orleans Saints at 15-4 (.789), followed by Detroit’s NFC North rival, the Minnesota Vikings, at 14-5 (.737). The Lions have lost eight straight October matchups. In fact, the last time the Lions won in October, Donald Trump was still president.
Before we reach October, the Lions still have that Sept. 28 game against Green Bay, in which Detroit is a slight favorite with Michigan sports betting operators at -1, -1.5 or -2 depending on the sportsbook.
Detroit Lions 2023 Schedule
Detroit will look to snap that October losing streak when they face off against the Carolina Panthers in Week 5. However, it remains a mystery who will be under center for the Panthers. Bryce Young missed Sunday’s game against the Seahawks with an ankle sprain, and it’s unclear if he’ll be back when the Panthers visit Detroit on Oct. 8. If the 2023 first overall draft pick sits again, the Lions will have veteran QB Andy Dalton to contend with.
Next up the Lions will head to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers in Week 6. After Tom Brady’s retirement following the 2022 season, many had written off the Bucs. But the Baker Mayfield era in Tampa is off to a strong start, in part thanks to the Bucs’ dominating defense.
Week 7 brings the Lions to Baltimore where they’ll contend with the Lamar Jackson-led Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 22. Baltimore faithful will hope the team is healed up by then. Sunday’s overtime loss to the Colts saw the Ravens take the field without several key starters — including WR Odell Beckham Jr., CB Marcus Humphrey, and OT Ronnie Stanley.
The Lions’ final game of October will be a Monday Night Football clash in Detroit against the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 30. Those unfazed by the Lions historic October performance can find odds between +2000 and +2200 at various Michigan sportsbook apps to win the Super Bowl.
