Allen Park — If pride comes before the fall, the Detroit Lions are doing everything to their power to make sure their pride doesn't stumble in the face of growing expectations.
A perpetual underdog, the Lions find themselves in the unusual role of favorites this offseason. National pundits and oddsmakers are head over heels for the long-suffering franchise after the team won eight of its final 10 games last season, positioning them as the frontrunners for the NFC North. It's a wild sentiment when you consider the team hasn't won a division title in three decades.