Detroit Lions Preview and Prediction

Team Preview

The Detroit Lions recently made big news, resigning quarterback Matthew Stafford to the NFL's richest contract ever. The move solidifies the QB position for the next five years, but are the players surrounding Stafford enough to get the team into the playoffs?

The Lions have been one of the NFL's hardest teams to predict over the last decade. Rewind to the 2008 season, when Detroit famously finished the season 0-16. It did not take long for the team to rebound, winning two games the next year and six the following year before posting a 10-6 record and making a playoff appearance during the 2011-12 season. Detroit followed that season up with back-to-back losing seasons (4-12, 7-9) before another playoff appearance in the 2014-15 season. Again, the Lions could not put together two straight playoff seasons, finishing 7-9 a year later. In the 2015-16 season (last year), the Lions finished 9-7 before dropping a wild card matchup to the Seattle Seahawks. Will the Lions make it two straight playoff appearances?

The play of Stafford will mirror the type of season the Lions have. A year ago, the gunslinger passed for 4,327 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing over 65 percent of his passes. He was also intercepted 10 times. Now with some financial and long-term security, the Lions hope Stafford can back those numbers up. Detroit will be a pass-first team, making Stafford a candidate for MVP each season.

The reason the Lions are a pass-first team is because of the lack of a workhorse running back. A year ago, Theo Riddick led the Lions with 357 yards on the ground. Only 357! Of course a RB is going to steal a few touchdowns throughout the season, but for the most part, the Lions won't give a back 20+ carries in a game. Riddick is also a threat in the passing game (53 receptions, 371 yards), just like the team's other RB's that will see the field this season. Look for 2015 second-rounder Ameer Abdullah (101 rush yards, 57 receiving yards) to get the most looks after playing in just two games last year (due to a Lisfranc injury) while Riddick also sees plenty of chances. Zach Zenner and Dwayne Washington could also see some attempts out of the backfield and looks in the passing game while Washington handles kick returns.

Golden Tate and Marvin Jones Jr. lead the wide receiver corps after solid seasons a year ago. Tate caught 91 passes for 1,077 yards while Jones Jr. added 55 receptions for 930 yards; each WR also scored four touchdowns. TJ Jones and 2017 third round pick Kenny Galladay hope to fill the void left by Anquan Boldin (67 receptions, 584 yards, 8 TD), who signed with the Buffalo Bills before retiring. Keep an eye on former Green Bay Packer Jared Abbrederis to make an impact if he can make the roster.

Because of the lack of WR targets Stafford has at his disposal, the play of tight end Eric Ebron will determine if the passing game can be successful this season. Ebron caught 61 passes for 711 yards but only scored one touchdown. Ebron needs to become the red zone threat Boldin was.

The additions of former Los Angeles Ram Greg Robinson, Green Bay Packer TJ Lang and Baltimore Raven Ricky Wagner should strengthen an offensive line that ranked 19th-best a year ago, according to Pro Football Focus. Will those additions allow Stafford more time to throw or allow the running game the finally flourish? The offensive line signings are never the "sexy" transactions, but they could be the ones that help the Lions take the next step this season.

On defense, Tahir Whitehead leads the charge after recording 132 total tackles last year. He will be joined at linebacker by Antwione Williams and 2017 first-rounder Jarrad Davis. Paul Worrilow, Thurston Armbrister and 2017 fourth-rounder Jalen Reeves-Maybin serve as depth.

Ziggy Ansah (35 tackles, 2 sacks) leads the defensive line, although he may be hindered by an ankle injury that also affected his play last season. Anthony Zettel joins Ansah on the d-line and will battle Armonty Bryant, who is suspended for four games, for snaps. Former Chicago Bear Cornelius Washington and 2016 second-rounder A'Shawn Robinson should also be on the field plenty, while Khyri Thornton and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Akeem Spence serve as the the top backups. Rookie sixth-rounder Jeremiah Ledbetter and seventh-rounder Patrick O'Connor add to a very deep d-line unit.

The secondary is led by ball-hawking safety Tavon WIlson (89 total tackles, 2 INT) and his counterpart Glover Quin (68 tackles, 2 INT). 2014 fourth-round Nevin Lawson posted 57 tackles to lead a cornerback group that also includes Darius Slay and former Oakland Raider DJ Hayden. 2017 second-rounder Teez Tabor and 2015 fifth-rounder Jamal Agnew could also see the field in their rookie campaigns.

2017-18 Schedule/Predictions 1 - vs Arizona Cardinals (W) 2 - at New York Giants (L) 3 - vs Atlanta Falcons (L) 4 - at Minnesota Vikings (W) 5 - vs Carolina Panthers (W) 6 - at New Orleans Saints (W) 7 - BYE 8 - vs Pittsburgh Steelers (L) 9 - at Green Bay Packers (L) 10 - vs Cleveland Browns (W) 11 - at Chicago Bears (W) 12 - vs Minnesota Vikings (W) 13 - at Baltimore Ravens (L)

14 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L) 15 - vs Chicago Bears (W) 16 - at Cincinnati Bengals (W) 17 - vs Green Bay Packers (L) Season Record: 9-7, 4-2 NFC North

When you really break each position group down, the Lions do not have one that sticks out. There are plenty of quality players on the team, but not many that would qualify as elite. Success on both sides of the ball will be accomplished in a true team effort. The schedule sets the Lions up for some tough matchups in the first nine weeks of the season; things do lighten up down the stretch, but road games at the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need to be must-win if the Lions want a spot in the playoffs. I expect a week 17 showdown with the Packers to ultimately end the Detroit Lions season and leave them a win shy of the postseason.

Next NFC Team Up - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sources not listed in article: ESPN - stats; Ourlads - depth chart; Playoff Predictors - schedule/record projections.

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