Detroit Lions Among NFL's Elite With 10.5 Win Projection for 2026

Oddsmakers see the Lions as a top contender despite missing the playoffs in 2025

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Despite falling short of the postseason in 2025 with a 9-7 record, the Detroit Lions are being treated like one of the NFL's elite teams by oddsmakers. DraftKings has set the Lions' 2026 regular-season win total at 10.5, with the over priced at -130 and the under at +110. This places Detroit in a crowded tier of contenders, including traditional powerhouses and recent Super Bowl participants.

Why it matters

The Lions' high win projection suggests sportsbooks believe the team's core remains strong, the coaching staff is trusted, and the regression in 2025 is viewed as an outlier rather than a trend. This is a notable vote of confidence for a team that missed the playoffs the previous season, indicating Detroit is expected to re-enter the postseason conversation in a meaningful way.

The details

The Lions' 10.5 win total ties them with several other teams, including the Packers, Ravens, Bills, Rams, and Eagles. This puts Detroit in a group of teams generally expected to compete for division titles, win at least one playoff game, and carry legitimate conference-title expectations. Within the NFC North, the Lions remain tied with Green Bay atop the division odds, with Chicago and Minnesota projected a full game or more behind.

  • The 2026 regular-season win totals were released on February 19, 2026.

The players

Detroit Lions

An NFL team based in Detroit, Michigan.

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The takeaway

The high win projection for the Detroit Lions in 2026 suggests sportsbooks view the team as a legitimate contender, despite missing the playoffs in 2025. This is a notable show of confidence in the Lions' core and coaching staff, and indicates the team is expected to bounce back and re-enter the postseason conversation in a meaningful way.