Late comeback turns fortunes of Detroit Lions’ season; now, can they capitalize on it?

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Break up the Lions!

Two wins in a row has Detroit at 3-3, with the promise that the Lions could be looking much better at the end of November, if they can keep playing well and winning.

But honestly, it is the winning that is important more than playing well, for the fans of the team and the bettors backing the Lions each week.

A long time ago in NFL time, Matthew Stafford was the “King of the Comeback”: but it has been a while since fans saw what they did last Sunday.

Down by six with just 1:04 left on the clock, with no timeouts left in his pocket, Stafford drove the Lions 64 yards before scrambling around and hitting T.J. Hockensen with no time left for an 11-yard touchdown. After the extra point was good (which had to be kicked from 15 yards further back because of a flag), Detroit had a stunning 23-22 victory, and what might end up as a season-changing result.

Why might it be that?

Take a look at the next five games for the Lions: they get Indianapolis (4-2) this weekend, then Minnesota (1-5), Washington (2-5), Carolina (3-4), and Houston (1-6).

Will Detroit win all five of those games?

Probably not.

But will they have a shot, or be favored, in each of them?

Definitely.

Sportsbooks have the Lions as a three-point underdog to the Colts at home this weekend, and the next four games should see Detroit favored or very close to that. This Sunday’s contest is a big one, with a win setting the Lions up for a massive November. It is feasible that the Lions could be 7-3/6-4 heading into the Thanksgiving Day game with the Texans, if they can find a way past the Colts.

A loss could still see Detroit in decent shape after this run, but December is tough, and there are already nine teams ahead of the Lions in the playoff race (including some team in the NFC [L]East that will get to call itself “champion”). If Detroit could get to December at 7-4, it could make for an interesting last five weeks of the season in the Motor City.

By that time as well (and maybe even sooner), sports bettors in Michigan may be able to place their wagers online. It is a matter of time before the online betting is finalized, with a group of apps ready to launch as soon as allowed.

It would be fantastic if bettors in Michigan were able to watch the Lions on Thanksgiving Day and be able to wager on Matthew Stafford to throw for 300+ yards, or maybe in a matchup against Deshaun Watson.

Either way, though, it will be soon: hopefully for Lions’ fans (and the bettors that back them), their team is in the thick of a playoff race, after racking up a string of wins.

Prediction for Sunday:

The Colts are 1-4-1 against the spread in their last eight road games, although how about this for a stat? The Lions are 0-7 in their last seven NFL Week 8 games.

Indy comes in off a bye, but Detroit carries the momentum from its stunning win. Take the over 50 points, and I would shade towards the Lions to win this contest at home and get to 4-3.

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