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5 NFL bets that make sense in light of Lions' unfortunate injury woes

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions jogs across the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151543 ORIG FILE ID: 2190117736
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions jogs across the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151543 ORIG FILE ID: 2190117736

The Detroit Lions are snakebitten. Even in a season they're experiencing unprecedented success, things are slowly coming apart at the seams -- and we're not simply talking about a loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

In fact, Detroit's latest loss -- just its second of the season -- is the least of the team's concerns. Record-wise, the Lions still control their own destiny in the race for the NFC's top seed. The problem is they'll likely have to do that without another three starters lost to injury; RB David Montgomery, DT Alim McNeill and CB Carlton Davis. That gives them 11 significant injuries along the roster, including seven of their Week 1 starters on defense.

No matter how good a team is, it's obviously hard to win under those circumstances, even if they can address some of the void with free agents. So, here are five bets that suddenly make a ton of sense in the event Detroit begins to slide.

Vikings to win NFC North (+350)

Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) celebrates after scoring a touchdown from a fumble recovery against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-880970 ORIG FILE ID: 20241020_mdk_hw1_095.JPG
Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) celebrates after scoring a touchdown from a fumble recovery against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-880970 ORIG FILE ID: 20241020_mdk_hw1_095.JPG

Odds at BetMGM still heavily favor the Lions to pull out the division title at -500, but it's not like they have a significant lead on Minnesota. In fact, the Vikings can tie the Lions at 12-2 with a win over the Bears on Monday night.

Detroit would still own the tiebreaker after beating Minnesota in Week 7, but these teams meet again the last week of the season. That means there's still plenty of time for the Vikings to steal this division if there's any slippage in Detroit's play.

Kevin O'Connell to win Coach of the Year (+150)

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 08: Sam Darnold #14 celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass with head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151522 ORIG FILE ID: 2188915717

O'Connell is already the favorite to win this award, so it was probably a good bet even before Detroit's latest injuries, but it becomes an especially good bet now because his closest competition for the award is Dan Campbell (+250).

Maybe O'Connell wins the award regardless of what happens in the division, just because of how unexpected Minnesota's great season was, but he definitely won't be denied if the Vikings catch Detroit in the standings.

Eagles to win the NFC (+200)

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 15: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after a first down against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151545 ORIG FILE ID: 2190136441
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 15: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after a first down against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151545 ORIG FILE ID: 2190136441

Depending on who you asked, the Eagles were already the best team in the NFC. But it was definitely up for debate between them and the Lions, and oddsmakers still favor Detroit at +185.

Regardless, the conversation starts and ends with those two teams and the margins are close enough that the loss of several more starters might be the thing that gives Philly the edge over Detroit.

Bears +6.5 vs. Lions

Nov 28, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) scores a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-881050 ORIG FILE ID: 20241128_szo_kd7_0065.JPG
Nov 28, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) scores a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-881050 ORIG FILE ID: 20241128_szo_kd7_0065.JPG

The Bears host the Lions as 6.5-point underdogs in Week 16, and though their season is over, it wouldn't be a shock to see them play this game close. They only lost by a field goal when they visited the Lions three weeks ago.

Also consider Detroit's games have been coming down to the wire more lately anyway. The Lions are 0-3 ATS since that Bears game.

Bills to win Super Bowl (+425)

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: Josh Allen #17 and Dalton Kincaid #86 of the Buffalo Bills celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151543 ORIG FILE ID: 2190135295
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: Josh Allen #17 and Dalton Kincaid #86 of the Buffalo Bills celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151543 ORIG FILE ID: 2190135295

There was plenty talk before Sunday's game about how it was a potential Super Bowl preview, so it only makes sense to consider the Bills favorites after they beat the Lions.

Buffalo still has a tougher path as of today, which is why the Lions still hold top odds at +400. But these injuries may threaten to change that soon.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 NFL bets that make sense in light of Lions' unfortunate injury woes