The Detroit Lions are laying seven points as they get set to open the 2025 season against the New Orleans Saints, according to DraftKings sports book.
Dan Campbell’s team is trying to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season, and general manager Brad Holmes said the work done over the spring and summer gave the organization a clear look at where the roster stands heading into the 17-game schedule.
“Obviously, I thought Dan did a great job of managing the camp,” said Holmes. “Even going all the way back to right after the Draft, the phases of the offseason program, OTAs, just how everything kind of married up very nicely with the management of everything, getting the necessary work in, getting the guys prepared. So, he's always done a great job about that.”
Holmes also pointed to the value of competition throughout camp when it came time to settle on the initial 53-man roster.
“And then really the whole coaching staff. You can bring the competition in, but to have those guys play fast, to compete hard, those guys getting pushed, I mean, it's golden evaluation opportunities to look at those guys,” said Holmes.
“So, everybody did a great job. Personnel department's big time for us around this time of the year.
“A lot of hard work goes into this process of monitoring the entire League around this time,” Holmes commented further. “And really, I mean, so many people to name to have a successful training camp. So, our performance staff, our trainers, operations, grounds crew, everybody, almost really too many names, but it's all hands-on deck.”
Detroit and New Orleans have met 28 times, including the playoffs, with the Saints holding a 14-13-1 edge in the series.
The last time these teams met was in 2023, when the Lions won on the road, 33-28.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
In Other News...
Lions Face A Core Roster Decision With Long Term Consequences
The Lions have a hard cap cleanup in front of them, with their salary total sitting well above the league limit and Monday set as the deadline to get under it. The front office has a handful of obvious levers to pull, and the names at the center of the discussion tell the story of where Detroit is headed, with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell and Alim McNeill all potential candidates for contract restructuring.
It is the kind of move that can buy immediate flexibility while pushing some of the pain down the road, which is why it matters so much for a team trying to stay competitive without boxing itself in later. Detroit has built its core around those players, so any decision to open space now carries long-term consequences, and the balance between present-day relief and future commitments is exactly what makes this a decision worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Still Have One Week 1 Roster Issue To Solve
With the regular-season opener against the Saints looming, the Lions still have a little fine-tuning to do as they sort through the last bits of their Week 1 roster. There is some room for movement, and the conversation has included familiar depth pieces such as Tom Kennedy, the kind of player teams turn to when they want reliable practice-squad insurance to help cover a specific game plan.
New Orleans presents an immediate test, especially on the perimeter with Chris Olave giving Detroit a receiver it has to account for from the start. Even with the opener in focus, the broader discussion around the roster has drifted into bigger-picture territory, including a set of bold 2026 predictions that put Jahmyr Gibbs at the center of what this offense could become. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Still Have 3 Starting Battles That Could Test Early Stability
The Lions have spent the offseason building around a roster that already looks sturdy, but a few spots remain open as training camp sorting begins. Left guard is the clearest example, with Christian Mahogany expected to get the first crack while Ben Bartch and Miles Frazier keep pushing for a role. It is the kind of competition that can sharpen a team if it settles quickly, especially on a line that is supposed to be part of Detroits identity.
The secondary has even more moving parts. At nickelback, Keith Abney II and Roger McCreary are expected to split snaps, and at outside cornerback Rock Ya-Sin looks like the front-runner while Khalil Dorsey and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. stay in the mix. For a defense trying to leave camp with early stability, those are not small decisions, and the way those jobs sort out could say a lot about how ready the Lions are to open the season. [Read more 🡒]
