Will the Detroit Lions make the playoffs this year? (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

Big fan of what they have done in the draft the last 2-3 years. I feel like they are close and with Minnesota down and Chicago never a sure thing, this could be the year they at least sneak into the wildcard range. Was their last playoff game at Tampa in the late 90s?

I am a huge fan of Calvin and Suh so it's hard not to want to root for them.

 

[drater]

Voted no and 6-8 but if you had put the ranges as 6-9 and 10+ I would have voted for 6-9. 9-7 and just miss the wildcard is my best guess. Lose a bunch of close ones they should have won. Watch out in 2012.

 

[beerbarron]

I like what they have done too.. Great recovery from the M millen error...

Their secondary scares me a bit.. but with a healthy delmas, it should be better.. Its a long season and anything can happen... specially if stafford gets to play 16 games..

Unfortunately I see them just missing a wild card.. The opening game against the buc could be very important for wild card seeding too.. should be a lot of fun to watch them this season..

 

[RJS113]

I voted no, and 9-10. Don't think they'll beat out GB for the division, and I see both wild cards coming out of the South.

 

[Addai's Adidas]

If they make it to the Thanksgiving Day game and are still mathematically in it the season will be a success.

6-8.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I like what they have done too.. Great recovery from the M millen error...

Their secondary scares me a bit.. but with a healthy delmas, it should be better.. Its a long season and anything can happen... specially if stafford gets to play 16 games..

Unfortunately I see them just missing a wild card.. The opening game against the buc could be very important for wild card seeding too.. should be a lot of fun to watch them this season..

That DL is gonna be really good though IMO and will help offset the secondary some. Also the offense has soem new toys and more development under their belt which should take pressure off the defense.

 

[Raider Nation]

A fearsome front 4 is nice, but the rules require you to put seven guys behind them.

 

[netnalp]

I think they could win up to 10 games, but like last year, a 10-6 record might not make the tie breakers for a wildcard spot.

 

[beerbarron]

I like what they have done too.. Great recovery from the M millen error...

Their secondary scares me a bit.. but with a healthy delmas, it should be better.. Its a long season and anything can happen... specially if stafford gets to play 16 games..

Unfortunately I see them just missing a wild card.. The opening game against the buc could be very important for wild card seeding too.. should be a lot of fun to watch them this season..

That DL is gonna be really good though IMO and will help offset the secondary some. Also the offense has soem new toys and more development under their belt which should take pressure off the defense.

Lets not forget FA as well.. they may upgrade the DB's a bit through that avenue.. The O has the potential to put up points and maybe win some shootouts the leaky secondary may produce... I agree if the DL get to the QB it doesnt matter whos open.. but that wont happen every play...

 

[gandalas]

I see em in the 6-10 range of wins and just missing out on the playoffs. Voted 6-8 rather than 9-10, as I will give them the lower of the range.

 

[smackdaddies]

lets see how much money they spend in FA, but I just don't see them jumping chicago or the pack this year. Voted 8 wins and no.

plus I like Stafford but don't trust his ability to stay healthy.

 

[sihaokills]

I think they will be 10-6 and make the playoffs but lose in the first round of playoffs

 

[adrenaline]

No, 6-8.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

lets see how much money they spend in FA, but I just don't see them jumping chicago or the pack this year. Voted 8 wins and no.plus I like Stafford but don't trust his ability to stay healthy.

Shaun Hill has a lot of game experience for a back up. Agree that a healthy Stafford is key though.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Schedule...

@TB

KC

@MN

@Dall

CHI

SF

ATL

@Den

bye

@Chi

CAR

GB

@NO

MN

@Oak

SD

@GB

I see 5 games in green where I think they have a decided advantage. In the division I think they can go 3-3, maybe 4-2. The other 5 games against playoff and potential playoff teams include 2 home games with ATL and SD, then road games @TB, @NO, and @Dall...I think they could end up winning a couple of these games.

5 softer game=4-1

Divison 4-2

Tough 2-3

That would put you at 10-6. If they can come out of the gate 2-2 or better I really like their chances.

 

[adrenaline]

@TB L

KC L

@MN W

@Dall L*

CHI W

SF W

ATL L

@Den W

bye

@Chi L

CAR W

GB L

@NO L

MN W

@Oak L*

SD L

@GB L

I could see them beating Dal & Oak if they played them at home, I think they will win 1 of those games.

They have CJ, a great DL & some nice prospects that are still question marks. I think they are at least 1-2 years away from gelling & filling in the blanks.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

@TB LKC L@MN W@Dall L*CHI WSF WATL L@Den Wbye@Chi LCAR WGB L@NO LMN W@Oak L*SD L@GB LI could see them beating Dal & Oak if they played them at home, I think they will win 1 of those games.They have CJ, a great DL & some nice prospects that are still question marks. I think they are at least 1-2 years away from gelling & filling in the blanks.

Last year they spilt with GB but this year they get swept? Beat TB @TB last year when the Bucs needed a win to get into the playoffs. They lost 7 games by less than a TD last year.

 

[adrenaline]

@TB LKC L@MN W@Dall L*CHI WSF WATL L@Den Wbye@Chi LCAR WGB L@NO LMN W@Oak L*SD L@GB LI could see them beating Dal & Oak if they played them at home, I think they will win 1 of those games.They have CJ, a great DL & some nice prospects that are still question marks. I think they are at least 1-2 years away from gelling & filling in the blanks.

Last year they spilt with GB but this year they get swept? Beat TB @TB last year when the Bucs needed a win to get into the playoffs. They lost 7 games by less than a TD last year.

Yup, that's why they play the game, teams win some they should not & lose some they should not. It should be noted that Flynn played most of the game when they beat GB. Detroit won 6 games last year, I just don't see where they improved enough to win 10 games this year.

 

[TwinTurbo]

Lions fan here and I vote no. That schedule looks like 8-8 at best to me. This team just isn't as talented as some would like to think. But really hoping the D can step up this year and build an identity that will define the team.

 

[hutchins929]

@TB LKC L@MN W@Dall L*CHI WSF WATL L@Den Wbye@Chi LCAR WGB L@NO LMN W@Oak L*SD L@GB LI could see them beating Dal & Oak if they played them at home, I think they will win 1 of those games.They have CJ, a great DL & some nice prospects that are still question marks. I think they are at least 1-2 years away from gelling & filling in the blanks.

Last year they spilt with GB but this year they get swept? Beat TB @TB last year when the Bucs needed a win to get into the playoffs. They lost 7 games by less than a TD last year.

Yup, that's why they play the game, teams win some they should not & lose some they should not. It should be noted that Flynn played most of the game when they beat GB. Detroit won 6 games last year, I just don't see where they improved enough to win 10 games this year.

It should also be noted that Flynn played most of the game because Detroit knocked Rodgers out of the game. They've only gotten more fierce on that D-Line. Not saying that they will beat GB but I have them at 1-1 this year against them. They could loose both though. GB is by far the favorite to win those games.

 

[Sinrman]

Offense is coming together, but still needs work. The line. Need a better #2 WR (not a Burleson fan). Two rookies that have potential (Young and LeShoure), but big ??

Defense is coming along nicely. Line looks stout, but we don't know how Fairley will respond. I think Vandenbosch and Suh will not let him slouch, but he has to WANT to win and

dominate. The LBs are iffy and the secondary is still pretty iffy. That's why I feel it is imperative that we sign one or two top CBs and LBs to shore things up.

A lot of ?? for me. I think 8-8 is the best outlook, slightly missing the playoffs.

 

[Moonlight]

Ask again after FA. Holes at LB, secondary and OL. If Stafford is to be their franchise QB, they have not made it a priority to protect him yet.

 

[dmac37]

@TB LKC L@MN W@Dall L*CHI WSF WATL L@Den Wbye@Chi LCAR WGB L@NO LMN W@Oak L*SD L@GB LI could see them beating Dal & Oak if they played them at home, I think they will win 1 of those games.They have CJ, a great DL & some nice prospects that are still question marks. I think they are at least 1-2 years away from gelling & filling in the blanks.

Last year they spilt with GB but this year they get swept? Beat TB @TB last year when the Bucs needed a win to get into the playoffs. They lost 7 games by less than a TD last year.

Yup, that's why they play the game, teams win some they should not & lose some they should not. It should be noted that Flynn played most of the game when they beat GB. Detroit won 6 games last year, I just don't see where they improved enough to win 10 games this year.

It should also be noted that Flynn played most of the game because Detroit knocked Rodgers out of the game. They've only gotten more fierce on that D-Line. Not saying that they will beat GB but I have them at 1-1 this year against them. They could loose both though. GB is by far the favorite to win those games.

If I remember correctly Rodgers was knocked out right before halftime and they had less than 7 points at that time.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I think the Packers are still the class of the NFC, so unfortunately they play in the Lions division. So, that puts them at trying to win a wild card spot. The Lions are very close to being ab average team and truth be told, that's all you really need to be to make the playoffs these days so yes the Lions have a realistic shot.

I think it's imperative to build off of last year's momentum and start off at least 2-2. They play the Bucs who are thinking playoffs or bust this year and Dallas, whom they played well on the road for a half until a funky special teams play turned that game around in favor of Dallas.

It's preseason, so it's a good time to look at things half full so I am going to say yes. I think Stafford comes into his own, I think Suh becomes the most dominant defensive player in the league, and I think going into Detroit becomes a place opposing offenses and particulatly QB's ate going to hate to play due to the noise and pass rush.

Restore The Roar!

 

[Eminence]

I don't believe in Stafford to finish off games / play all 16, so no.

 

[sihaokills]

I think the O Line is critical for next years draft. The front four should put pressure and stop the run so the defense is more set than the offense. Calvin Johnson, Best, Pettigrew, and a healthy Stafford are great pieces for the offense, if they draft 2 talented O line man next year, I think they could compete with GB

 

[Ministry of Pain]

TY to those that voted and posted up so far.

 

[Jersey35]

Packers fan here.

I like the Lions and what they are doing, but the playoffs seems a bit of a reach yet. I like them as a Wildcard possibility but think they ultimately lose out to a team in the South. 2nd in the division would be a nice step for them.

I realize they split with the Pack last year, but play those games 20 times and the Packers probably win 15-18 of those games.

 

[Jason Wood]

I was all set to jump into the thread and argue that NO they won't because the lead "sleeper" each year (and let's be honest, Detroit is by far and away the media darling this preseason as a breakout team) rarely seems to ever deliver the goods. And I'm also still far from sold on Matthew Stafford as a franchise QB, in spite of rhetoric from everyone to the contrary. HOWEVER, I honestly think this defense could be devastating if the pieces come together (and that includes some deft free agent additions), which would put a lot less pressure on Stafford and the offense to be as explosive as some hope [in fact, I think fantasy owners thinking the Lions will be a breakout are in for a disappointment, but this is real NFL wins and losses MOP is asking about].

 

[Hüsker Brü]

A fearsome front 4 is nice, but the rules require you to put seven guys behind them.

Bingo.And the offensive line ... my god, how long can one franchise ignore such a critical area? Jeff Backus has now been a 10-year starter for the Lions, and he's freaking terrible.I voted 6-8 wins, but they're just as likely to finish below that level as they are to have a winning record, IMO.

 

[beerbarron]

@TB L

KC L

@MN W

@Dall L*

CHI W

SF W

ATL L

@Den W

bye

@Chi L

CAR W

GB L

@NO L

MN W

@Oak L*

SD L

@GB L

I could see them beating Dal & Oak if they played them at home, I think they will win 1 of those games.

They have CJ, a great DL & some nice prospects that are still question marks. I think they are at least 1-2 years away from gelling & filling in the blanks.

Last year they spilt with GB but this year they get swept? Beat TB @TB last year when the Bucs needed a win to get into the playoffs. They lost 7 games by less than a TD last year.

Most of those L's were with S Hill and an injured JBest.. The cornbread is tasting good for lions fans this year... I still see between 7-9 wins and just missing out on the wild card spot.. Im wrong a lot so lets see...

@TB L

KC W

@MN W

@Dall L*

CHI W

SF L

ATL L

@Den W

bye

@Chi L

CAR W

GB L

@NO L

MN W

@Oak W

SD W

@GB L

 

[beerbarron]

I think the O Line is critical for next years draft. The front four should put pressure and stop the run so the defense is more set than the offense. Calvin Johnson, Best, Pettigrew, and a healthy Stafford are great pieces for the offense, if they draft 2 talented O line man next year, I think they could compete with GB

I agree the line has been overlooked in the draft and by management.. and not a great asset to the team.. but they can play as a middle of the league Oline unit.. the Det QB's didnt lead the league in getting sacked last year.. thats a misperception since stafford has been hurt while getting sacked and the play being shown on ESPN/NFL net over and over again.. imo

 

[Detroit Revival]

I voted 9-10 wins and not making the playoffs. The division will be won by GB and I don't think 9 wins is enough for a wildcard. We're almost there but not quite. Detroit should have enough cap room to get one premium free agent. They'll make a play for a LB or Corner. Give us another year and I think we'll be there.

 

[drater]

I think the O Line is critical for next years draft. The front four should put pressure and stop the run so the defense is more set than the offense. Calvin Johnson, Best, Pettigrew, and a healthy Stafford are great pieces for the offense, if they draft 2 talented O line man next year, I think they could compete with GB

I agree the line has been overlooked in the draft and by management.. and not a great asset to the team.. but they can play as a middle of the league Oline unit.. the Det QB's didnt lead the league in getting sacked last year.. thats a misperception since stafford has been hurt while getting sacked and the play being shown on ESPN/NFL net over and over again.. imo

From behind the Pro Football Focus paywall: "The Detroit Lions offensive line was tied for the 6th fewest sacks allowed in the NFL, but they were the 5th best when you account for the amount of pass attempts they had. The Lions allowed a sack on only 4.2% of their pass plays, bested by only the Colts, Giants, Saints and Falcons. The Lions offensive line did indeed open holes, but due to the lack of a good fullback, down field passing and their running backs speed taken away, the running game was non existent."Peterman sucks, false start machine. Hopefully Fox is fully recovered from the knee injury and takes his spot. The rest of the unit is highly underrated IMO and get's falsely labeled a turnstile as a result of Stafford's apparent fragility. Backus has a pec tear so hopefully they address some LT depth not named Jammal Brown in FA.More on the subject:http://detroitlionsobserver.blogspot.com/2011/03/lions-review-2010-offensive-line.html

 

[Da Guru]

My heart says yes but I voted no. I see Green Bay being 11-5 and winning the division.

I really think they have a chance to go 9-7 with some breaks and Stafford can stay healthy but thinking 8-8 is more realistic. Next season will be their breakthrough year.

 

[Ilov80s]

A fearsome front 4 is nice, but the rules require you to put seven guys behind them.

Bingo.And the offensive line ... my god, how long can one franchise ignore such a critical area? Jeff Backus has now been a 10-year starter for the Lions, and he's freaking terrible.

I voted 6-8 wins, but they're just as likely to finish below that level as they are to have a winning record, IMO.

Actually Backus was stastically the 13th best LT in the NFL last year. Backus Named Best LT in NFC North by ESPN and voted best LT in NFC North by the NFL North team scoutsHe is old and can't be counted on for too much longer. However, he is a solid LT.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I'll say they make a slight improvement and win 7-8 games, but they still have two mountains to climb in their division - Green Bay AND Chicago. And I doubt Minnesota will be the patsy some are predicting they'll be this year. So, while they will continue to improve, that tough division won't make it easy. Neither will having to play the NFC South.

 

[skillz]

They're getting there. More progress this season. 9-7 and no playoffs.

 

[hutchins929]

They're getting there. More progress this season. 9-7 and no playoffs.

I agree with this BUT, we have to wait and see what happens with FA in the next week or so. If they can pick up some much needed help at LB and CB then they have a really good shot at the playoffs IMO.

 

[Clifford]

Voted no and 6-8 but if you had put the ranges as 6-9 and 10+ I would have voted for 6-9. 9-7 and just miss the wildcard is my best guess. Lose a bunch of close ones they should have won. Watch out in 2012.

This. It's going to be Impossible for them to win it and chances are that their best chance is to finish third. I don't see both wild cards coming from the NFC north.

 

[PatsFanCT]

They will battle GB for the division. 9 wins should be a piece of cake for this team. The best pass rush in the division, if not the league. Stafford back healthy, Best who is a stud and Calvin? How could they not get 9-10 wins easily?

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

They will battle GB for the division. 9 wins should be a piece of cake for this team. The best pass rush in the division, if not the league. Stafford back healthy, Best who is a stud and Calvin? How could they not get 9-10 wins easily?

Funny how the only things I agree with you on are Stafford is currently healthy and Calvin is a stud.Best pass rush in the division/league...really? -Vanden Bosch is 32 turning 33 and had 4 sacks last year. In fact, he has only topped 5 sacks 3 times in his career and they happened in 2005,2006,2007.-Cliff Avril had 8.5-Suh had 10Reaching a bit theirBest is a stud...since when?The Detroit OL isn't anything good...in fact now Backus tore a pectoral muscle which may keep him out of camp.They have one of the worst back 7 defenses in the NFL.Those don't add up to a playoff team.

 

[PatsFanCT]

They will battle GB for the division. 9 wins should be a piece of cake for this team. The best pass rush in the division, if not the league. Stafford back healthy, Best who is a stud and Calvin? How could they not get 9-10 wins easily?

Funny how the only things I agree with you on are Stafford is currently healthy and Calvin is a stud.Best pass rush in the division/league...really? -Vanden Bosch is 32 turning 33 and had 4 sacks last year. In fact, he has only topped 5 sacks 3 times in his career and they happened in 2005,2006,2007.-Cliff Avril had 8.5-Suh had 10Reaching a bit theirBest is a stud...since when?The Detroit OL isn't anything good...in fact now Backus tore a pectoral muscle which may keep him out of camp.They have one of the worst back 7 defenses in the NFL.Those don't add up to a playoff team.

I jumped the gun a little on the pass rush because of the addition of Fairley, but have no doubt that he and Suh are going to be responsible for a lot of three and outs.Best is a stud. He just doesn't have the stud line in front of him, but with a healthy Stafford and Calvin being Calvin, that can open up some holes, not to mention his receiving abilities.This team should have had more wins last year, including the Calvin TD to beat the Bears that was ruled incomplete when anyone watching the game knew it was caught.

 

[meatwad1]

They will battle GB for the division. 9 wins should be a piece of cake for this team. The best pass rush in the division, if not the league. Stafford back healthy, Best who is a stud and Calvin? How could they not get 9-10 wins easily?

Funny how the only things I agree with you on are Stafford is currently healthy and Calvin is a stud.Best pass rush in the division/league...really? -Vanden Bosch is 32 turning 33 and had 4 sacks last year. In fact, he has only topped 5 sacks 3 times in his career and they happened in 2005,2006,2007.-Cliff Avril had 8.5-Suh had 10Reaching a bit theirBest is a stud...since when?The Detroit OL isn't anything good...in fact now Backus tore a pectoral muscle which may keep him out of camp.They have one of the worst back 7 defenses in the NFL.Those don't add up to a playoff team.

I will have to agree here. To me, the Lions look a lot like San Fran. A team with about 5 or 6 really great players, but little else. I think the lockout will end up hurting the Lions, as they are a team that could have really used a full offseason to improve. When you add in that people have pretty high expectations this year, it is not tough to see that the wheels could come off.4-12 and back to the drawing board.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

They will battle GB for the division. 9 wins should be a piece of cake for this team. The best pass rush in the division, if not the league. Stafford back healthy, Best who is a stud and Calvin? How could they not get 9-10 wins easily?

Funny how the only things I agree with you on are Stafford is currently healthy and Calvin is a stud.Best pass rush in the division/league...really? -Vanden Bosch is 32 turning 33 and had 4 sacks last year. In fact, he has only topped 5 sacks 3 times in his career and they happened in 2005,2006,2007.-Cliff Avril had 8.5-Suh had 10Reaching a bit theirBest is a stud...since when?The Detroit OL isn't anything good...in fact now Backus tore a pectoral muscle which may keep him out of camp.They have one of the worst back 7 defenses in the NFL.Those don't add up to a playoff team.

I jumped the gun a little on the pass rush because of the addition of Fairley, but have no doubt that he and Suh are going to be responsible for a lot of three and outs.Best is a stud. He just doesn't have the stud line in front of him, but with a healthy Stafford and Calvin being Calvin, that can open up some holes, not to mention his receiving abilities.This team should have had more wins last year, including the Calvin TD to beat the Bears that was ruled incomplete when anyone watching the game knew it was caught.

Fairley was talked about as the potential #1 overall pick right after the national championship game, but then slipped in the draft. Has to be a reason for that. Suh is good, no doubting that. Best isn't a stud. I am a big fan of Best, but he didn't do "it" last year and looks to be too small/fragile for the NFL.Stafford has had shoulder issues two season in a row. Will that affect his arm? It affecting Chad Pennington over the years.The officials made the call after replaying it and it was the correct call. Perhaps if Calvin didn't celebrate early, they would've had the win.But potential and production don't always align, that has been the motto of the Lions. Look a few years back Joey Harrington, Roy Williams, Charles Rodgers, Mike Williams, Kevin Jones they were supposed to be a force...never materialized. Rookies/young players don't always develop, I would be shocked if the Lions players all panned out this season with no offseason activities to make the playoffs.

 

[meatwad1]

They will battle GB for the division. 9 wins should be a piece of cake for this team. The best pass rush in the division, if not the league. Stafford back healthy, Best who is a stud and Calvin? How could they not get 9-10 wins easily?

Funny how the only things I agree with you on are Stafford is currently healthy and Calvin is a stud.Best pass rush in the division/league...really? -Vanden Bosch is 32 turning 33 and had 4 sacks last year. In fact, he has only topped 5 sacks 3 times in his career and they happened in 2005,2006,2007.-Cliff Avril had 8.5-Suh had 10Reaching a bit theirBest is a stud...since when?The Detroit OL isn't anything good...in fact now Backus tore a pectoral muscle which may keep him out of camp.They have one of the worst back 7 defenses in the NFL.Those don't add up to a playoff team.

I jumped the gun a little on the pass rush because of the addition of Fairley, but have no doubt that he and Suh are going to be responsible for a lot of three and outs.Best is a stud. He just doesn't have the stud line in front of him, but with a healthy Stafford and Calvin being Calvin, that can open up some holes, not to mention his receiving abilities.This team should have had more wins last year, including the Calvin TD to beat the Bears that was ruled incomplete when anyone watching the game knew it was caught.

How are you going to get all of these three and outs when you have nothing for lbs and dbs? Teams are going to stack the front, double team your linemen and throw over and around all day long!!!Best is not a stud. He could barely average over 3 yrds a carry. If he was that injured, it really speaks to the stupidity of your coaching staff for keeping him in for so long. Also, if he was such a stud, the Lions would not have burned another high pick on a rb, when it is clear they should be trying to protect their investment in Stafford with lots of OL.Additionally, that td was NOT A TD!!! That is a clear cut rule. I know this because two years ago I had Andre Johnson and he did the exact same thing and got a td called back. Regardless, please do not call attention to specific plays and claim the Lions should have been a 9 - 10 win team last year. Guess what? Last year, the Packers never trailed a game by more than 7 points the WHOLE SEASON!!! I could give you a list of six plays, starting with the td pass in the Lions game that hit Jennings right in the hands and instead became an interception, that could have or could not have been made and the pack woulda been 16 - 0 instead of 10 - 6!!!Every team can point to specific plays and do that, so it really is a weak argument.

 

[hutchins929]

They will battle GB for the division. 9 wins should be a piece of cake for this team. The best pass rush in the division, if not the league. Stafford back healthy, Best who is a stud and Calvin? How could they not get 9-10 wins easily?

Some may say that your over reaching with the the D-line. That they aren't one of the best in the league but I would put them at #1 in the division. the LB's and Secondary are the biggest issue and if they can pick up some much needed help there I would say that they can compete for the division and that they can and will make the playoffs. If they don't get enough help out there on defense then I say 7-8 wins is more like it. I must say 9-10 wins isn't an easy thing for any team. So that was a bit of a foolish statement. Although I do think that Kyle Vanden Bosch will definitely produce on the field. I think that the biggest contributions with Vanden Bosch will be in the locker room, IMO, which will translate onto the field with other guys like Fairly. I don't see Fairly getting away with slouching off. Between Vanden Bosch and Sue they would kick his ###, if he try's that ####. Stafford when on the field is very impressive and word is he is in great shape and his shoulder looks great. We can't assume he will be healthy all season because he has yet to prove it. But IF he can stay healthy and play the majority of the season I don't think 4-5 more wins is out of the question... IF THEY GET HELP AT LB AND IN THE SECONDARY.

 

[PatsFanCT]

I think a lot of people look at the Detroit Lions as the failure that they have been the past half decade, and really find it almost impossible for them to ever climb back up to the top.

They won 7 games last year. Yes, I'm giving them 7 because that CJ touchdown against Chicago would have stood the year before, and would stand this year as well. Debate all you want about semantics, but the Lions absolutely won that game.

Stafford played what, three games last year? Best is a fantastic RB. Granted, as someone mentioned, he is a little small, but most teams are RBBC anyway, so he'll have some help, and as I already mentioned, with his receiving skills, a healthy Stafford, and the all-world CJ, he will have some room to show his ability.

Suh, Vanden Bosch, and Fairly will be an incredible force. Other than Rogers, who else in that division will be able to avoid them without fearing for their lives?

If they can get 7 wins last year without Stafford, Vanden Bosch, Fairley and an oft-injured and most times defensivly targeted Best, how could they not logically be expected to win 9 or 10 games this year?

 

[Jersey35]

I think a lot of people look at the Detroit Lions as the failure that they have been the past half decade, and really find it almost impossible for them to ever climb back up to the top.

They won 7 games last year. Yes, I'm giving them 7 because that CJ touchdown against Chicago would have stood the year before, and would stand this year as well. Debate all you want about semantics, but the Lions absolutely won that game.

Stafford played what, three games last year? Best is a fantastic RB. Granted, as someone mentioned, he is a little small, but most teams are RBBC anyway, so he'll have some help, and as I already mentioned, with his receiving skills, a healthy Stafford, and the all-world CJ, he will have some room to show his ability.

Suh, Vanden Bosch, and Fairly will be an incredible force. Other than Rogers, who else in that division will be able to avoid them without fearing for their lives?

If they can get 7 wins last year without Stafford, Vanden Bosch, Fairley and an oft-injured and most times defensivly targeted Best, how could they not logically be expected to win 9 or 10 games this year?

To answer your question: because other teams may also have improved nearly as much, as much, or more, through the draft, free agency, and/or added experience. The problem for detroit is that so many of the players you're referring to as helping the team take the next step are a) 1st or second year players who've now missed out on a great many opportunities to improve and learn this offseason and b) players in a relatively new coaching regime with one less offseason to grow and learn within the system.I believe this season, moreso than in the past, the advantage will go to the teams that are already elite, and the teams that are not facing new or relatively new coaching regimes.

I can see Detroit vying for #2 in the division, but its not a good bet that they'll beat out GB and Chi. Min maybe. Could they? Sure, that's why they play the games. But you won't catch me laying money on them.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

I think a lot of people look at the Detroit Lions as the failure that they have been the past half decade, and really find it almost impossible for them to ever climb back up to the top.

They won 7 games last year. Yes, I'm giving them 7 because that CJ touchdown against Chicago would have stood the year before, and would stand this year as well. Debate all you want about semantics, but the Lions absolutely won that game.

While you can't let that go, let's discuss other possibilities.

-Lets say they count the TD, Detroit goes up 21-19 with 31 seconds left.

-That leaves a Chicago team 31 seconds to get into FG range to win the game.

-Chicago has the best ST unit in the NFL. The best returners that would've probably got them into good field position and one of the better FG kickers in the NFL.

-Jay Cutler was 23/35 for 362 yards and a 108.3 QB rating.

-The Bears also had all 3 Timeouts left.

-Adding all of that together, I think Chicago still wins.