The Lions hit the reset button for the upcoming season with a new GM, coaching regime, and QB, which is why they are a major longshot to win the NFC North, NFC, and Super Bowl.
Odds to win the Super Bowl: +25000
Odds to win the NFC: +10000
Odds to win the NFC North: +2500
Detroit had a massive overhaul after last season after going 5-11, which was not a surprise. They have a new young GM in Brad Holmes, a new head coach in Dan Campbell, as well as a new offensive and defensive coordinator.
The Matthew Stafford era for the Lions is done and the team got two future first round draft picks and a third rounder in 2021 trading him to the Rams as well as QB Jared Goff. The team restructured Goff’s contract and he is not just a bridge QB but one that should be the starter for the team this season as well as next.
Lions Ranked Last In Points Allowed
Last season the Lions ranked 20th in the NFL in points scored and dead last in points allowed. They not only traded Stafford but will have a lot of new faces on both sides of the ball.
Goff has the most wins of any QB since 2017 not named Tom Brady but he also comes to Detroit with a revamped WR corps.
Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., and Danny Amendola are gone and in are Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman and fourth round draft pick Amon-Ra St. Brown are in.
TE T.J. Hockenson had a breakout 2020 and ranked second on the team in receiving yards behind Jones Jr.
Goff also has INT issues and while with the Rams had one of the best defences in the NFC, which will not be the case in the Motor City.
RB D’Andre Swift will be the lead back and last season as a rookie rushed for 521 yards and had 357 receiving yards. He will be joined in the backfield by free agent Jamaal Williams and seventh round draft pick Jermar Jefferson.
While there are issues on offense with the skill positions one bright spot for the Lions is their young and solid offensive line that boasts three first round draft picks.
Lions Still Have Holes to Fill on “D”
Last season the Detroit defense set franchise records with most points and most yards allowed. Romeo Okwara resigned after having 10 sacks last season, signed DT Romeo Okwara, and the team drafted a few defensive linemen, later in the draft.
The team still has holes in the LB corps and last season the Lions ranked dead last in quarterback pressures and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn looks to change that with more blitz packages.
Detroit is still high on last season’s #3 pick overall in Jeff Okudah, who only played in nine games last season due to injury. They added Quinton Dunbar and nickel corner Corn Elder in free agency and used their third-round pick on CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, who may have been a steal.
Not only do the Lions have a tough go if it in the solid NFC North but their early season schedule is killer facing the 49ers, Packers, Ravens, Bears, and Vikings in their first five games. The second half is not killer but not easy either with two road games facing the Browns and Seahawks.
Season Outlook
The Lions will go through major growing pains in their first year after hitting the reset button. They have a lot of new faces on both sides of the ball, a new coaching regime, and a new GM. Detroit will be in for a long season and I do not see them matching last season’s win total of five finishing in the basement of the NFC North once again.