Thursday, May 21, 2026

Roaring to the Top: Lions Become Super Bowl Favorites for First Time

It’s yet another milestone for the 94-year-old franchise that has never reached the Super Bowl (but does have four pre-merger NFL championships).

The Detroit Free Press

For the first time in NFL history, the Lions are the betting favorites to win a Super Bowl.

Detroit (9–1) ascended to the top of sportsbooks’ odds lists after a 52–6 rout of the Jaguars (2–9) on Sunday, overtaking the Chiefs (9–1), who lost their first game of the season at the Bills (8–2). The Lions’ odds to win Super Bowl LIX range from +310 to +420 at major sportsbooks. Kansas City is still not far behind, with odds between +450 and +500.

It’s yet another milestone for the 94-year-old franchise that has never reached the Super Bowl (but does have four pre-merger NFL championships). Last season’s run to the NFC championship game invigorated not just Lions fans but also the entire city of Detroit—resulting in increased ticket prices, merchandise sales, and spending at bars and restaurants. 

Following that success, Detroit GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell received contract extensions through 2027. Season-ticket prices for 2024 also increased by an average of 30%.

Watch Party

After Week 11 of the 2024 regular season, the Lions have a one-game lead over the Vikings (8–2) in the NFC North and are in pole position to grab the No. 1 seed, which would mean at least one, and potentially two, more raucous playoff games at Ford Field in January.

With seven more games to play, the Lions will be in the national TV spotlight for more than half of their remaining schedule:

  • Nov. 28: An early Thanksgiving Day contest against the Bears (4–6) on CBS that could outdraw the reeling Cowboys (3–6), who host the Giants (2–8) later in the afternoon
  • Dec. 5: A Thursday Night Football matchup against the division rival Packers (7–3) on Amazon Prime Video
  • Dec. 15: A late-afternoon visit to Buffalo for a potential Super Bowl LIX preview that will be seen by a large portion of the country on CBS
  • Dec. 30: The final Monday Night Football game of the season against the defending NFC champion 49ers (5–5) on ESPN

Several Lions games have already drawn big TV audiences this season, including two of just over 24 million viewers each on Fox for matchups against Dallas and Green Bay. But Detroit is now set to get its most exposure of the season as the team is peaking on the field.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; A view of the CFP logo and SEC logo before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Playoff First Round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

SEC Holds Cards to 24-Team College Football Playoff

CFP expansion will be a major topic at the SEC spring meetings.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) speaks with the press after the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation to fund Department of Homeland Security agencies including the Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration in a move to end the partial shutdown that has gripped their operations for nearly 11 weeks, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 30, 2026.

Critics Warn Kalshi and Polymarket Risk a Juul-Style Reckoning

Their advertising methods came under fire from lawmakers this week.
exclusive

World Cup Will Block Notorious Dallas Glare for At Least One Game

FIFA will use the curtains for a 6 p.m. kickoff match this summer.

Political Sparring Intensifies Over Bears’ $5B Stadium Future

The stadium saga is the center of a growing political fight.

Featured Today

NFL Rivalries Are Made on the Field, Mocked in Schedule Release Videos

Every year, teams find new ways to one-up themselves (and their rivals).
Bart Swings/Falyn Fonoimoana/Avery Poppinga
May 14, 2026

OnlyFans Is Paying Pro Athletes What Their Sports Won’t

The adult-content platform is a reliable income source for niche athletes.
May 13, 2026

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.
Nov 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy watches play against the Utah Mammoth during the third period at Delta Center

NHL Coaches’ Association Pushes Back on Vegas Cassidy Restrictions

Vegas is within bounds, but the move is unusual and controversial.
May 19, 2026

Arsenal Wins First Premier League Title Under American Owners

The Gunners hadn’t won England’s top league since 2004.
May 19, 2026

Trail Blazers Lay Off Dozens As Tom Dundon’s Cuts Continue

The team confirmed the departures in a statement Tuesday.
Sponsored

Mark Cuban Peels Back the Curtain

Mark Cuban discusses sports ownership, the rise of NIL, and the evolving media landscape.
May 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers forward/guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) during the first quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
May 18, 2026

Knicks Ticket Demand Sees MSG Get-In Prices Soar

Resale ticket prices for any potential Finals games at MSG begin at about $2,500.
May 13, 2006; Washington, D.C, USA; FILE PHOTO; Houston Comets at Washington Mystics -- Houston forward Sheryl Swoopes brings the ball up court.
May 14, 2026

Houston WNBA Team Expects to Keep Comets Name

The Connecticut Sun will move to Houston in 2027.
May 13, 2026

Bob Myers Will Run Sixers While Leading Hunt for New GM

Myers constructed four championship teams in Golden State. 
May 11, 2026

Braves Earnings Show Promise and Pressure of RSN Shift

The club’s revenue surged, aided in part by the earlier season start.