The Lions finished 9-8 and just missed the NFC playoffs last season. They have much higher expectations for 2023.
Detroit is the favorite to win the NFC North. It also projected to be a top-five team in the conference. That's despite the fact the Lions last earned a wild-card berth in 2016 and haven't won a division title (then the NFC Central) in 30 years.
Can the Lions live up to the leap? Sporting News breaks down what to expect from this season and predicting heir final record:
MORE: Early NFL picks, predictions for Week 1
Lions predictions 2023
The Lions have gone from a rebuilding to a loaded young team under coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes. Their standout strength remains an offense, now backed by an improving defense.
Detroit finished fourth in total offense and and fifth in scoring offense (27.5 points per game) last season. The team features one of the best offensive lines, anchored by tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell. The Lions will continue to field an elite rushing attack, now powered by first-round rookie Jahmyr Gibbs and former Bear David Montgomery.
Jared Goff also leads a dangerous passing game with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown as the go-to guy. They have a variety of versatile veteran weapons there and will get more youthful help from rookie tight end Sam LaPorta and second-year wideout Jameson Williams (after he returns from a six-game suspension).
Defensively, young front four stars Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill got plenty of reinforcements behind them. Rookie linebacker Jack Campbell is a strong defensive rookie of the year candidate. Cameron Sutton. C.J. Garnder-Johnson, Brian Branch and Emmanuel Moseley (when back healthy) will all be key new secondary contributors.
The Lions are an ascending team with a fiery sideline leader in Campbell. Thanks to Holmes, they have a good talent mix made by extra draft capital and shrewd free-agent spending. Detroit already did the hard part in getting above .500 with a 5.5-game turnaround in 2022. Bridging to double-digit wins should not be difficult.
What are the Lions' chances to win NFC North?
According to Bet MGM, the Lions (+130) have separated well from the reigning division champion Vikings (+280) as a heavy NFC North favorite. The Bears (+400) and Packers (+400) are tied behind both teams.
Lions Super Bowl odds
Putting together their projected wins and lofty status in the NFC North, the Lions (+2200) have the fourth-best Super Bowl-winning odds in the conference. They are behind only the reigning NFC champion Eagles (+800), the 49ers (+1000) and Cowboys (+1500). That also puts Detroit ninth on the BetMGM board overall when factoring Kansas City, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Baltimore and New York from the AFC.
Lions win total projection 2023
Detroit over/under for victories this season is set at 9.5, with -150 odds on them exceeding that win total, according to BetMGM. They will pay out on the massive action in their favor with only a one-game improvement to 10-7.
Here's a looking at the Lions 2023 schedule and SN's projected result for each game:
| Week | Date | Opponent | Game time (ET) | TV | Prediction |
| 1 | Sept. 7 | at Chiefs (TNF) | 8:20 p.m. | NBC | Loss |
| 2 | Sept. 17 | vs. Seahawks | 1 p.m. | Fox | Win |
| 3 | Sept. 24 | vs. Falcons | 1 p.m. | Fox | Win |
| 4 | Sept. 28 | at Packers (TNF) | 8:15 p.m. | Amazon | Loss |
| 5 | Oct. 8 | vs. Panthers | 1 p.m. | Fox | Win |
| 6 | Oct. 15 | at Buccaneers | 1 p.m. | Fox | Win |
| 7 | Oct. 22 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. | Fox | Loss |
| 8 | Oct. 30 | vs. Raiders | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | Win |
| 9 | BYE | ||||
| 10 | Nov. 12 | at Chargers | 4:05 p.m. | CBS | Loss |
| 11 | Nov. 19 | vs. Bears | 1 p.m. | Fox | Win |
| 12 | Nov. 23 | vs. Packers (Thanksgiving) | 12:30 p.m. | Fox | Win |
| 13 | Dec. 3 | at Saints | 1 p.m. | Fox | Win |
| 14 | Dec. 10 | at Bears | 1 p.m. | Fox | Win |
| 15 | Dec. 16/17 | vs. Broncos | TBD | TBD | Win |
| 16 | Dec. 24 | at Vikings | 1 p.m. | Fox | Loss |
| 17 | Dec. 30 | at Cowboys (Saturday) | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC | Loss |
| 18 | Jan 6/7 | vs. Vikings | TBD | TBD | Win |
From that slate, the Lions have a favorable shot of going 11-6 and also winning the North with that record, with the Packers and Vikings battling for second. That should put Detroit in position to secure the third seed in the NFC playoffs, behind Philadelphia and San Francisco, ahead of a weak NFC South winner and Dallas.
The Lions have never been to the Super Bowl, so calling for them to roar all the way to Super Bowl 58 Las Vegas on Feb. 11 would be bold. But they will be well positioned in the playoffs to do so, ensuring it wouldn't be a totally shocking result.
