Despite falling short of expectations in 2025, the Detroit Lions are still very much in the Super Bowl conversation heading into the 2026 NFL season - at least according to the oddsmakers.
DraftKings Sportsbook has the Lions sitting with the fifth-best odds to win Super Bowl 61, tied at +1300 with the Philadelphia Eagles. That’s a strong vote of confidence for a team that just finished last in the NFC North and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Still, the betting markets are clearly buying into Detroit’s long-term potential, seeing them as a legitimate contender in a crowded NFC field.
What’s especially notable? The Lions lead the NFC North in Super Bowl odds.
They’re ahead of the Green Bay Packers (+1400), who finished above them in the standings, and well ahead of the division-winning Chicago Bears (+2200). The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, are much further down the board at +5500.
This optimism comes despite a 9-8 finish in 2025 that left Detroit on the outside looking in come playoff time. It was a frustrating step back for a team that had made the postseason in back-to-back years and seemed poised to take the next step. But Vegas hasn’t lost faith - and neither have bettors.
There are reasons for that belief. The Lions still boast one of the most talented rosters in the league, with six Pro Bowlers from the 2025 season. That kind of top-end talent is tough to ignore, and it’s clear that many expect Detroit to bounce back quickly.
Of course, there are questions. The offense will be under new leadership in 2026, as Drew Petzing takes over as offensive coordinator after his stint with the Arizona Cardinals.
That’s a key hire, especially with the potential departure of longtime left tackle Taylor Decker looming. If Decker retires, the Lions will have a significant hole to fill on the offensive line - a unit that’s been a strength during their recent rise.
Even so, Detroit is still getting more love from the books than some perennial powerhouses. The Lions have better odds than the Ravens (+1400), Chiefs (+1500), and even the AFC’s top seed from last season, the Denver Broncos (+1800). That speaks volumes about how the market views this team’s ceiling.
Meanwhile, the current Super Bowl picture still has to play out. Super Bowl 60 is just around the corner, with the Seattle Seahawks set to face the New England Patriots on February 8 in Santa Clara.
The Seahawks are currently favored by 4.5 points, and they’re also among the early favorites to win it all again next year. DraftKings lists both Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams as co-favorites for Super Bowl 61 at +950, followed by the Buffalo Bills at +1000 and the Patriots at +1200.
Here’s how the rest of the early odds stack up:
Super Bowl 61 Odds (as of Jan. 28):
- Rams: +950
- Seahawks: +950
- Bills: +1000
- Patriots: +1200
- Eagles: +1300
- Lions: +1300
- Packers: +1400
- Ravens: +1400
- Chargers: +1500
- Chiefs: +1500
- 49ers: +1600
- Broncos: +1800
- Texans: +1900
- Jaguars: +2000
- Bears: +2200
- Bengals: +2200
- Cowboys: +3500
- Buccaneers: +4000
- Colts: +5000
- Commanders: +5000
- Vikings: +5500
- Steelers: +6000
- Giants: +7000
- Falcons: +8000
- Panthers: +9000
- Saints: +9000
- Titans: +11000
- Browns: +13000
- Jets: +15000
- Raiders: +15000
- Cardinals: +20000
- Dolphins: +20000
The road back to contention won’t be easy for Detroit. But with a strong core, a new offensive mind in the building, and the betting world behind them, the Lions are still very much in the hunt. If they can shore up their line and recapture the form that made them a playoff staple just a year ago, they could be one of the more dangerous teams in the league next fall.