There’s been plenty of news surrounding the Detroit Lions this offseason and none of it good. New head coach Matt Patricia had to respond to an old sexual assault allegation from 1996. Now, that seems to have run its course if my Googling is any indication, but make no mistake. If Patricia slips up at all this season in Detroit, he’ll be sent packing.
If you look at the odds at BetDSI Sportsbook, he might want to keep U-Haul on speed dial. Though the team finished 9-7 and outside the playoff hunt last season, the oddsmakers aren’t really banking on even a .500 season. Here’s what they’re offering.
Detroit Lions 2018-19 Regular Season Win Total
Over 6.5 (-140)
Under 6.5 (+110)
When it comes to the Patricia thing, there’s no need to rehash it too thoroughly. He was accused and indicted for sexual assault back in 1996, but was never tried because the alleged victim refused to testify. You either believe Patricia’s account, that he’s innocent, or you don’t.
The only difference it makes now for Patricia is his seat is immediately made of lava as John McMullen pointed out three weeks ago. A losing season, especially a 6-10 one, could doom his career for good. Winning, as they say, fixes everything.
The tools are there for this Lions team, starting at the top with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford is simply one of the best in the game. Since 2011, he’s passed for more than 4,200 yards and 20 touchdowns every season. Over the last four, he’s averaged 26.75 TDs and just 11.25 INTs per season. Detroit has posted winning marks in three of their last four seasons in spite of Jim Caldwell’s inept coaching.
#Lions website suggests the team's RB roles could be determined on a "week-to-week matchup basis," and new HC Matt Patricia indicated he's a proponent of RBBCs: https://t.co/YxZDkQf0LO
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) June 6, 2018
In fact, Stafford has never played for a head coach that was actually qualified for the job. Before Caldwell he was stuck with Jim Schwartz. In spite of that handicap, Stafford has been nothing but elite.
He probably has the best weapons at his disposal now since Calvin Johnson retired. Kenny Golladay emerged last season as a potential NFL star. Marvin Jones and Golden Tate are both solid Nos 2 and 3 wide receivers. In the backfield, Ameer Abdullah has never lived up to his potential and Detroit is finally through screwing around, drafting Kerryon Johnson out of Auburn in the second round of April’s draft.
Defense is, of course, what got Patricia hired in the first place and he has plenty of talent to utilize with the Lions. Ezekiel Ansah and Anthony Zettel can both get after the quarterback. Detroit is solid at linebacker and has a playmaking young secondary, led by Darius Slay at corner and Glover Quin at safety.
At #Lions’ first minicamp under Matt Patricia. Star CB Darius Slay on what the defense will look like: “Y’all seen the #Patriots play.” Described it as aggressive. Makes you compete.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 6, 2018
Checking out the Lions’ schedule, the first month could make or break their season. They open hosting the New York Jets, then travel to the West Coast to take on the San Francisco 49ers. Then it’s a home match up against Patricia’s old team, the New England Patriots, followed by a trip south to face off against the Dallas Cowboys. And all that’s before their NFC North schedule really begins.
I can see Detroit coming out of September 2-2. Anything less than that and Patricia might as well forget about getting the security deposit on his condo back. With the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers looming large down the stretch, along with match ups against the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers, the under is probably the safe bet here.
