Reviewing the early Detroit Lions NFC North Betting Odds for 2008 we already know that they haven't been to the playoffs since 1999, and a big start to the season might not mean they will make the playoffs.  Last year they went 1-7 in the last eight games of the season after starting 6-2. 

Last season Detroit went 7-9 and had their best season since 2000.  They have gone 38-81 since Matt Millen became the team president.  They haven't been to the playoffs since 1999, and they feel this is the year they will make it in.  They haven't won a playoff game since 1957, the year they won the title.  The Lions plan to be more consistent through out the whole season, meaning better balanced on offense and better on defense.   Last year Detroit started 6-2, and you would say how could they miss the playoffs?  They did miss the playoffs because they went 1-7 the rest of the way, and losing two tight home games to the Cowboys and Giants.  The NFC North Betting Odds at Sportsbetting.com currently have the Detroit Lions 80/1 to win the 2009 Superbowl.

Veteran Quarterback Jon Kitna got along with offensive coordinator Mike Martz last year.  Martz is gone and now he has to adjust to life without him.  Kitna has the advantage at the starting job, because of his experience, especially because the Lions are going to give their quarterback more control at the line this year.  Kitna will enter training camp as the starter and expected to enter the season as such.  But also coach Marinelli said youngsters Drew Stanton and Dan Orlovsky will have a legitimate shot to unseat Kitna.  "Last year was not a prediction, it was a statement of fact that if we didn't win 10 games, we would be disappointed, and I would say that would still hold true this year," Kitna said. "We will be disappointed, but we're going to be a better football team."  As far as using the close loss to the Giants as a talking point. Players compare themselves all the time to successful teams they have played, especially if they feel as though they matched up pretty well with them.  The NFC North Betting Odds at Sportsbetting.com currently have the Detroit Lions 6/1 to win the NFC North division.

As the champion NY Giants did last year, Detroit is determined to run the ball this year.  They want to control the ball through out the game and help out the defense.  In 2007 all year long there were to many three in outs, and they were a pass happy team.  Tatum Bell will be starting at running back, after missing 11 games last season.  He came over from the Denver Broncos in 2007.  The Lions are switching to a zone blocking scheme which Denver utilized last time Bell padded up there and Tatum racked up 1,025 yards in 13 games with Denver, not too shabby.  Combine that with the 6'1",  217 lb. frame of Kevin Smith and you have a running back tandem that has the potential to do some damage.  Smith was very productive in college in same zone theme Lions are installing this year.  The Lions only have to be 1 or 2 games better than last year to make the playoffs. If Smith brings a running game to slow down all the sacks Kitna takes, that alone should be enough (Not to mention Calvin improving with the normal second year wide receiver curve).

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