From Camp Hype to Vegas Favorite: How Detroit’s Super Bowl Odds Tightened Fast
Four games into the 2025 season, the Detroit Lions are rewarding everyone who believed in the summer buzz. Before the first snap in September, they were already favored in the NFC North and among the league's top Super Bowl bets, receiving some of the best preseason odds the franchise has seen in nearly 50 years. From Amon-Ra St. Brown’s record pace to a three-game streak without allowing a sack, the Lions are backing history with performance.
Building the Blueprint
Detroit’s front office spent the offseason reinforcing both lines and trusting quarterback Jared Goff’s chemistry with All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Training camp battles sharpened a roster that was already among the NFC’s deepest, and early practices showcased a rookie class ready to contribute in the trenches.
Goff Thrives without Ben Johnson
When the Lions’ former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left for a head coaching job in Chicago, skeptics wondered if QB Jared Goff could maintain Detroit’s high-powered attack. Now with four games behind him, that question feels incredibly outdated. Under the first-year play-caller John Morton, Goff is operating with the same impressive efficiency that defined the 2024 season. He’s using quick reads, precise timing, and an expanded run-pass mix to keep defenses guessing. His connection with St. Brown remains electric, and the offense has not skipped a beat despite the coaching changes, proving Goff doesn’t need Johnson's play sheet to succeed.
Star Power in the Spotlight
Amon-Ra St. Brown is off to a historic start. In the week 4 win over Cleveland, he became just the third Lions receiver to reach five touchdown catches in a season’s first four games, joining Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson (2011) and Leonard Thompson (1984). He’s also the first wide receiver since Randy Moss in 2007 to post 25+ receptions, 300+ yards, and six touchdowns through four games, reinforcing his status as Jared Goff’s premier playmaker.
Offense in Full Command
Detroit’s offensive line continues to set the tone with a three-game no-sack streak, a franchise first since the NFL began tracking sacks in 1982. A combination of protection and decisiveness keeps the Lions on schedule and playoff hopes alive.
Defense and Special Teams Set the Tone
Through four games, Detroit’s defense has already been a steady force behind the 3-1 start. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson leads a pass rush that creates constant pressure, while a deep linebacker group and opportunistic secondary have produced key takeaways despite injuries. Special teams have matched that consistency, from Kalif Raymond’s long punt-return providing one of the season's signature moments alongside Jake Bates’ reliable kicking and Jack Fox’s steady punts. Together, these units give Detroit a steady field position and the balance needed for a long season.
Staying Power Beyond September
October brings back-to-back road games and some injury concerns in the secondary, but Detroit has shown enough versatility to weather the grind. With Jared Goff directing an efficient offense, Amon-Ra St. Brown producing at a historic pace, and a defense that creates pressures and turnovers, the Lions have proven they can win in different ways. That adaptability will help to give this 3-1 team a legitimate chance to remain in the Super Bowl conversation deep into the season.
Detroit’s September run is more than just a hot start; it signals that decades of waiting may finally be leading to something historic for Lions fans. With Jaren Goff Thriving, Amon-Ra St. Brown rewriting the record books, and a defense that continues to find ways to win, Detroit looks ready to last deep into winter. The road ahead will certainly test them, but they are now in first place in the NFC North standings, and for the first time in franchise history, Detroit doesn’t just dream of the Super Bowl; it looks built to reach it.