If good teams win and great teams cover, the Detroit Lions are a historically great team.
Since last season, the Lions are 14-6 against the spread (ATS), the second-best team in the NFL behind the Dallas Cowboys (15-6).
What's remarkable about the Lions, of course, is they've covered in 70% of their games, but have only won 21% of them (four games).
That delta? Legendary and historic.
The Lions are the first team in the Wild Card Era (since 1990) to cover more than 60% of their games over a 20-game span and win fewer than five games.
Detroit has started 2022 with a 3-0 record against the spread, their best mark in 30 years.
So what does that mean? It means that bookmakers tend to overestimate how bad the Lions are and how good their opponents will be against them.
On Sunday, the Lions will have significantly more pressure on them. That's because, for the first time in 27 games, the Detroit Lions will be a favorite (by four points) against the Seattle Seahawks.
The last time they were a favorite? Nov. 22, 2020 against the Carolina Panthers. They lost 20-0.
But the stink of the Lions moneyline has kept many from seeing how great they are at covering. The Green Bay Packers have received plenty of credit over the years for winning straight up and covering at Lambeau.
Since 2021, the Packers are 9-1 straight up at home and 8-2 against the spread, both the best in the league.
But, over the same period, the Packers are tied with another team, one that has covered the spread at home eight out of its last 10 times.
The Detroit Lions.
It's always worth restating. Good teams win. Great teams cover.
