The Detroit Lions are considered to be "one of those teams" that could surprise a lot of people in 2018. If they do, it will be quite an impressive feat as many NFL experts are boasting that the Lions may have one of, if not the toughest schedule heading into the 2018 season.

Lions will relish ‘Detroit vs. Everyone’ roll

The Lions have a new head coach, some highly ranked new talent, and a new attitude that they can compete with any team in the NFC. According to a recent ESPN report, they will need that positive attitude this season, as they will face one of the toughest schedules in the game this fall.

ESPN’s Rob Nelson indicates that the first two months could make or break the season, as Detroit is currently an underdog in six of its first seven games. At least the NFL won't be disciplining the team.

Week 1 a ‘must win?’

Nelson makes a great point, and truthfully if you are a fan of the Lions, and you glance over the early portion of the schedule, it looks as if Week 1 is a must-win situation for Detroit. While that may sound a bit crazy, here is why it may be true. The Lions open up at home against the New York Jets. They should win this game, but here is why they need to. After the Jets leave town, Detroit will travel to San Francisco in Week 2, host the Patriots in Week 3, travel to Dallas in Week 4, then host the Green Bay Packers in Week 5, before a much-needed bye in Week 6.

That is a tough road to travel out of the gate.

Early Las Vegas odds have been posted for each week of the upcoming season, and, of course, you can’t take any lines past Week 2 very seriously because you never know what can happen. Injuries, trades, and various other things can benefit or hurt a team early on. Nevertheless, as of June 30, the Lions are listed as underdogs, according to Vegas oddsmakers, in six of their first seven games.

If that doesn’t sound overwhelming enough, consider this - the Lions are 6.5 point favorites to beat the Jets in Week 1, which means they are underdogs in their next six consecutive games.

Week by week odds

They are all subject to change, but according to Covers.com, here are the odds for every Detroit Lions game during the 2018 season.

The current odds for the Lions to win the NFC Central division are 7-1, NFC champion odds are 25-1, and their odds to win the 2019 Super Bowl are 50-1.

  • Week 1: New York Jets at Detroit Lions (-6, 44)
  • 2: at San Francisco 49ers (-3.5)
  • 3: New England Patriots at Detroit Lions (+4)
  • 4: at Dallas Cowboys (-4.5)
  • 5: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (+1)
  • 6: Bye
  • 7: at Miami Dolphins (-1)
  • 8: Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions (-1.5)
  • 9: at Minnesota Vikings (-7)
  • 10: at Chicago Bears (-1)
  • 11: Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions (-2.5)
  • 12: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (-5.5)
  • 13: Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions (+2)
  • 14: at Arizona Cardinals (-1)
  • 15: at Buffalo Bills (PICK)
  • 16: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (+3.5)
  • 17: at Green Bay Packers (-7.5)
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