What are the Lions Playoff Chances?
The Lions have a 69.2% chance of making the NFL Playoffs in 2024, based on implied probability at -225 odds.
Betting odds indicate how likely or unlikely an outcome is to happen. We can use those odds to calculate the implied probability of the outcome in question and, in this case, better understand the Lions playoff picture and postseason odds.
Related Lions Betting Content:
Detroit Lions Playoff Chances: Week-by-Week
Throughout the 2024 season, I will track the weekly Lions playoff chances. Odds change every week, so this will give you an easy look at how they changed after each game.
- Entering Week 1: -245
- Entering Week 2: -380
- Entering Week 3: -200
- Entering Week 4: -225
- Entering Week 5: TBD
- Entering Week 6: TBD
- Entering Week 7: TBD
- Entering Week 8: TBD
- Entering Week 9: TBD
- Entering Week 10: TBD
- Entering Week 11: TBD
- Entering Week 12: TBD
- Entering Week 13: TBD
- Entering Week 14: TBD
- Entering Week 15: TBD
- Entering Week 16: TBD
Be sure to bookmark this page, and check back as we'll update the Lions playoff odds weekly.
🏈 NEW: TNF Betting Odds
Lions Playoff Chances: Key Updates December 2024
Here's a look at some of the biggest Detroit Lions' headlines from before and throughout the 2024 season.
- 📆 September 22, 2024: Detroit travels to Arizona for its first road game and handles the Cardinals, 20-10, improving the Lions playoff chances by 2.9%.
- 📆 September 15, 2024: In their second-straight playoff rematch, the Lions playoff chances take a hit with a one-possession loss to Tampa Bay.
- 📆 September 8, 2024: The Lions overcome the Rams in overtime, 26-20, in a significant swing game for the future NFC Playoff race.
- 📆 September 6, 2024: Packers QB Jordan Love injures his knee, significantly impacting Detroit's only threat in the NFC North.
- 📆 August 27, 2024: Following cuts, the franchise signed receivers Tim Patrick & Allen Robinson to the practice squad to eventually fill the X position.
- 📆 August 27, 2024: Detroit announces its official 53-man roster, including bubble players James Houston, Isaiah Williams, and Malcolm Rodriguez.
- 📆 August 26, 2024: The Lions cut hometown wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, making Kalif Raymond the team's No. 3 WR.
- 📆 August 21, 2024: Veteran Kalif Raymond looks poised to win the job for No. 3 wide receiver.
- 📆 August 20, 2024: Dan Campbell gives a positive report on injured RB Jahmyr Gibbs, indicating he will play against the Rams in Week 1.
- 📆 August 13, 2024: Rookie CB Terrion Arnold suffers a pectoral injury at training camp. Coach Campbell still expects him to be ready for Week 1.
- 📆 May 16, 2024: The NFL schedule releases, giving the Lions five different primetime games.
- 📆 April 25-27, 2024: Detroit hosts its first-ever NFL Draft, adding another first-round pick from Alabama in cornerback Terrion Arnold.
- 📆 March 14, 2024: Following a historic season, the Lions announced contract extensions through 2027 for head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes.
- 📆 March 13, 2024: Detroit trades a 2024 third-round draft pick for Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout cornerback Carlton Davis III to bolster the Lions' struggling pass defense. The deal included two sixth-round picks.
- 📆 March 11, 2024: GM Brad Holmes started the free agency period by re-signing offensive guard, and Michigan native, Graham Glasgow to a three-year contract worth $20 million.
We'll continue to update you on the latest Detroit Lions news and transactions throughout the season, so bookmark this article and check back often.
Key Contributors Toward Lions Playoff Chances
The Lions have one of the deepest rosters in the league, good enough to land them at No. 5 on ESPN's NFL power rankings.
Here's a breakdown of who the top producers have been so far during the 2024 season. 👇
Offense
Offensively, Detroit is coming off top-five finishes in the air and on the ground, leading the league in rushing touchdowns and spotlighting Jared Goff, who suddenly has the most passing yards league-wide over the last two seasons.
Protecting Goff is the No. 1 offensive line in the NFL, with four returning starters including Pro Bowl RT Penei Sewell and an upgrade in veteran guard Kevin Zeitler.
Meanwhile, the Lions have three Pro Bowl skill players in fourth-year WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and second-year players, TE Sam LaPorta & RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Now, add in third-year WR Jameson Williams' untapped potential with RB David Montgomery's 13-TD season and it's hard not to love this offense.
Defense
Defensively, DC Aaron Glenn experienced (not) the best of both worlds last season, fielding the second-best rushing defense but the fourth-worst against the pass. With elite young stars in DE Aidan Hutchinson & S Brian Branch, Detroit completely rebuilt the secondary to fix one of the worst in the league a year ago.
GM Brad Holmes drafted two corners in the first two rounds of the draft, taking Terrion Arnold & Ennis Rakestraw. On top of that, they traded for veteran CB Carlton Davis III (Tampa Bay) and signed Amik Robertson (Las Vegas), while their biggest (literally) acquisition was DT DJ Reader, one of the best nose tackles in the league.
As head coach Dan Campbell said earlier this offseason: It's Super Bowl or bust for Detroit.
Where Can I Bet on the Lions to Make the Playoffs?
Use Michigan Sports Betting Apps to place bets on the Lions to make the playoffs as well as find playoff odds for every team in the NFL.
You can also bet on the Lions to win the Super Bowl on most major sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars, as long as you are 21+ and within state lines of a state that offers legal sports betting.
Before placing your Lions wager, it's definitely worthwhile to check out the latest Michigan betting promos available to make sure you're getting the most out of your bet.
PS: Make sure to try out the new Fanatics Sportsbook in Michigan!
Looking Ahead: Lions Playoff Picture
The Lions righted their wrongs in the 2023 season, proving to every team in the league that they're a legitimate contender right now.
Heading into the 2024 season, the narrative surrounding this once-forgotten franchise is flipped upside down. From underdogs a year ago to now having a giant target on their back, Detroit is among the five most heavily favored teams to win the Super Bowl.
Last season, making the playoffs was enough to dub the season a success. The improbable run to the NFC title game was considered an overachievement; however, this season, anything less than a trip to the Super Bowl would disappoint the fan base and coaching staff alike.
Do the Lions Have a Chance to Make the Playoffs?
Yes, the Lions have a 69.2% chance to make the playoffs. Their sights are set on repeating as NFC North champions and getting redemption in the NFC Championship Game after blowing a three-possession lead at halftime last season.
Are the Lions Out of Playoffs?
No, the Detroit Lions are not out of the playoffs. Odds will shift throughout the 2024 NFL Season, but the Lions are expected to make the playoffs and contend for an NFC Championship.
Where Do the Detroit Lions Rank in the NFC North?
The Lions are currently tied for second place in the NFC North but remain the betting favorite. Only three games into the season, the Vikings remain undefeated despite being the preseason longshot to win the division. Meanwhile, the Packers are doing just fine without Jordan Love, going 2-0 since his injury. The Bears don't look to be a threat this season.
Detroit plays its first divisional game in Week 6 against Minnesota. Stay tuned throughout the season to keep up with the divisional rankings.
Where Do the Detroit Lions Rank in the NFC Standings?
The Lions are currently tied for sixth place in the NFC at 2-1 with five teams. It's important to not buy into the standings much until later in the season.
Can the Detroit Lions Get the No. 1 Seed?
Yes, the Detroit Lions can still get the No. 1 seed. However, the playoff picture won't come to fruition until later in the season.
Detroit Lions Postseason Outlook and Predictions
The Lions are currently +1100 to win the Super Bowl. Those odds were unchanged by their first loss of the season in Week 2.
Photo courtesy of Junfu Han (USA Today Network)
Detroit Lions Playoffs FAQs
The Lions playoff chances are 69.2% based on implied probability used from their -225 odds at DraftKings. Detroit's playoff odds increased following a road win over Arizona in Week 3.
No, the Detroit Lions are firmly in contention for the playoff race at 2-1 through three weeks and the odds favorite to win the NFC North. The Lions playoff chances are 69.2% as of Week 4, improving by 2.9% after a win last week.
Yes, the Lions have a 69.2% chance to make the playoffs and the third-shortest odds to win the NFC title. The biggest threat to the Lions playoff chances is not winning the NFC North, arguably the most competitive division in the NFL, and settling for a Wild Card spot.
You can bet on the Detroit Lions to make the playoffs at both brick-and-mortar sportsbooks as well as legal online sportsbooks, including FanDuel, Fanatics, BetMGM, and more. The best odds right now are -225 at DraftKings.
Author
Brandon Justice is a Writer, Commercial Editor, and Fact Checker for BetMichigan.com. He also writes about the Michigan Wolverines & Detroit Lions, two teams he spent seven years covering professionally. Additionally, the Metro Detroit, Michigan native has covered numerous sports betting perspectives, including everything from analysis & daily picks to reviews & guides.
