NFL Predictions 2009: There is no where to go but up for the Detroit Lions after the franchise suffered through an 0-16 season last year. Major changes in the coaching staff as well as personnel should assure that the Lions can get into the win column at least once in 2009. Bodog.com is certainly leaning that way as they have the over 4.5 wins listed as a -155 favorite in their Detroit Lions NFL Predictions 2009 – Super Bowl Odds 2010.
Jim Schwartz, who has presided over the Tennessee Titans defense for the past eight seasons, was hired by Detroit this off-season to fill the spot of the dismissed Rod Marinelli. Schwartz brought in an experienced staff by adding Gunther Cunningham, former Chiefs head coach and defensive coordinator, to lead the defense and former Rams head coach Scott Linehan, who was also an offensive coordinator for both Miami and Minnesota, to deal with the offense.
Linehan has some good skill players on the roster with which to work. Calvin Johnson, who is arguably the best wideout in football, posted fantastic numbers in his second season, reeling in 78 receptions for 1331 yards and 12 touchdowns. The team added three quality receivers in the off-season to help compliment Johnson in Ronald Curry, Dennis Northcutt, and Bryant Johnson.
The running back position appears to be in solid shape as well with second year player Kevin Smith likely to get the bulk of the work. As a rookie Smith had 976 yards and eight touchdowns running behind one of the poorest o-lines in the league.
Depsite matching up well against defenses at the aforementioned positions, Detroit will need improvement from the offensive line and quarterback before its offense sees a significant production increase.
Duante Culpepper, who finished out the season at quarterback for Detroit in 2008, will be the starter from day one this year. He was not that impressive in his first go-round with the Lions, throwing for 786 yards, four touchdowns, and six interceptions. Unless he reverts to the form he displayed with the Vikings, which appears highly unlikely at this point, he is a stop-gap fix at best.
The Lions defense was the worst in the league last season, ranking last in points per game allowed, yards allowed, and rushing yards allowed. Cunningham has proven over the last few seasons that he is no guarantee to turn a defense around. The Chiefs were abysmal under his watch in 2008, but in Cunningham's defense, he and Head Coach Herm Edwards had very different views on how to coordinate a defense.
Cunningham will be on the same page with Schwartz, who he worked with in Tennessee from 2001-2003. Suffice it to say that the Tampa 2 defense will be banished in every conceivable form.
Schwartz and Cunningham will also be working with a largely different group than Marinelli as the Lions' brass added Grady Jackson (DT), Julian Peterson (LB), Larry Foote (LB), Anthony Henry (CB), and Phillip Buchanon (CB) during the off-season. All of those players should be starters, giving Detroit a new look and attitude on defense in 2009.
Bodog.com Detroit Lions NFL Predictions 2009 – Super Bowl Odds 2010
Detroit Lions Regular Season Win Total:
Over 4.5 (-155)
Under 4.5 (+125)
Detroit Lions Odds to Win the NFC North:
15/1
Detroit Lions Super Bowl Odds 2010:
100/1
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