Opinion
After existing in irrelevancy and failure for as long as we can remember, there is genuine light at the end of the Detroit Lions’ tunnel!
Strength
When Detroit hired head coach Dan Campbell, it was clear what he wanted to do: build through the lines. The Lions on paper shape to be one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Frank Ragnow is one of the best centres in the league, second-year pro Penei Sewell has the tools to be an All-Pro calibre player and Taylor Decker has been solid as a rock. Campbell has seriously conceded at building from the inside out.
Weakness
The Lions struggled in many areas last season, but the stat that sticks out was the massive 7.2 yards conceded per passing attempt, ranking dead last in the NFL. This is a real area of concern and considering they drafted Jeff Okudah third overall in 2020, it is something they have been actively trying to fix. Unfortunately for all parties, Okudah tore his achilles last season, can he make a difference this season?
Player to watch
My favourite player in the NFL draft is Jameson Williams, the wide receiver from Alabama. The Lions moved up with division rival Minnesota Vikings to draft Williams, despite him rehabbing from a torn ACL in January. He has speed you can’t teach and an ability to turn any pass into a touchdown. I’m not sure when he will get on the field despite positive reports about his rehab but keep an eye out for him when he does because the kid will be a genuine difference-maker.
Who’s under pressure?
For someone who is about to get paid $31 million this season, Jared Goff needs to be a lot better than he was last season. It was always going to be a risk taking him in the Matthew Stafford trade, but 3,245 yards 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions aren’t numbers to excite anyone. With a better group of weapons around him and the offensive line I discussed earlier, if he can’t produce this season he is never going to.
Projection
There is a lot of excitement around the Lions for the first time in a long time which is awesome to see as a neutral. But we need to keep our expectations tempered considering their secondary is still an area of concern and the quarterback-play, despite upgraded weapons, is still questionable at best.
Considering their history, it would be cool to see Detroit make a playoff run but I don’t think it’s this season.
Win-loss: 5-12
Hey, supercoach? Choose your own ultimate NFL team and compete with other players for cash prizes in daily competitions on any match. If you’re after the best odds on the NFL, PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The extraordinary episodes after his life as an American Football hero quite overshadowed the career of O.J. Simpson, who has died at the age…
The Kansas City Chiefs, steered brilliamtly at the end by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, downed the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime to secure…
San Francisco 49ers will make their eighth appearance in the Super Bowl after a stellar season from a team stacked with real talent across the whole line-up.
The Chiefs are no longer strangers to playing matches in February. What was once a multi-generational 50-year drought has become an almost yearly tradition.
Daniel Faalele and Mitch Wishnowsky have kept their Super Bowl dreams alive, with Baltimore and San Francisco winning the divisional round playoff.
Six-time NFL champion Bill Belichick has agreed to part ways as the coach of the New England Patriots, bringing an end to his 24-year…
The first blockbuster trade of the 2021 NFL season has just taken place between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. Approximately one…
