The Detroit Lions may not be ready to make the entire leap in one season but they can take the first step this weekend with a win against the Redskins.

Rebuilding projects in the NFL used to take several years but like the Miami Dolphins showed last year, it doesn’t have to be that way anymore.

The Dolphins started the 2008 season 0-2 straight-up and as importantly for sports bettors, they also dropped both games against the spread. Those who witnessed the Dolphins 1-15 campaign from the previous season started licking their chops at the thought of betting against this seemingly downtrodden group most of the year. Online sportsbooks had to hang big lines on the Dolphins, as the sports betting public lined up to bet against them. Miami fans braced for another long season.

But then in Week 3 against New England, getting plus-12.5 points or more, Miami pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season. The Dolphins beat the Pats 38-13 SU and changed the way bettors played them for the rest of the year.

That win was instrumental in Miami’s effort to win the AFC East division crown and in the process become the 10th team since realignment (2002) to go from last place one season to the very top of its division just a year later.

Of the eight last place teams from 2008, the cards are stacked higher against Detroit than any other. The Lions completed a winless campaign in December and cleaned house, but during the lead up to kickoff in 2009 the common consensus from sports bettors making picks on season win totals and divisional winner futures is that four or five wins this year would be a major accomplishment for Detroit.

In Week 3 the Lions are playing their second-straight home game and are listed as underdogs at online sportsbooks by nearly a touchdown. Opening lines at SPORTSBETTING.com had the visiting Washington Redskins listed as favorites by at least seven points but Lions money showed up, moving the spread down to -6.5, viewing the home dog as a possible value play.

Could it be the Lions are prime to end the streak at 19-straight losses?

Washington was a road favorite three times last season and recorded a 1-1-1 ATS mark against three vary bad teams that were nursing injuries to key players at the time. Right now it’s the Redskins that look like the bad team and regardless of their health, local beat writers in Washington are sending a message that if the Skins lose this game they would be wise to just not come home when it’s over.

Of all the NFL teams since realignment, the longest it took any of them to get their first win in the turnaround year was three games. If Detroit is to have any hope of winning the NFC North in 2009 (we know this is a highly unlikely proposition, but...), knocking of the Redskins would be a great place to start.

Worst to first since 2002 (Week of first straight-up win in brackets)

2003, NFC South: Carolina Panthers (won Week 1)
2003, AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs (won Week 1)
2004, NFC South: Atlanta Falcons (won Week 1)
2004, AFC West: San Diego Chargers (won Week 1)
2005, NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (won Week 1)
2005, NFC North: Chicago Bears (won Week 2)
2006, NFC South: New Orleans Saints (won Week 1)
2006, NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (won Week 1)
2007, NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (won Week 2)
2008, AFC East: Miami Dolphins (won Week 3)

For Redskins head coach Jim Zorn this could be the biggest game in his career. Judging by what we’ve seen from Zorn as a coach so far he may want to consider updating his resume for a possible broadcasting job next season.

Enjoy all the football action this weekend