NFC North Preview 2017: Lions

             

           Did you know that Matthew Stafford has been to the playoffs three times in his career? Since 2011 the Detroit Lions have been to the playoffs three times, that’s excellent for a franchise that recently fired its GM and VP or football operations in 2015. The 2016 season would be the first season the Lions haven’t had Megatron since 2007. Most people thought that Stafford would struggle without Megatron and he did anything but.

            Matthew Stafford has become one of the best 10 quarterbacks in football. I always thought he was too much of a gunslinger and reckless at times with his passes. He had Calvin Johnson to throw ball to so I can understand, but the turnovers and bone headed plays were hurting his team. Stafford also wasn’t able to develop a number two wide receiver beside Johnson, partly because of him, partly because of the JAGs they put next to Megatron. Prior to 2014 Stafford had thrown at least 15 interceptions in three straight seasons. Since then he has kept it under 13. Doesn’t seem like a huge difference but protecting the ball is the quarterbacks number one job. Shaving off two interceptions, a season while raising you completions percentage shows improvement and maturity. Last season without Megatron, Stafford completed 65.3% of his passes, only threw 10 interceptions, and posted a quarterback rating in the 90s. He was in complete control of that offense as was able to get the most of out of the wide receiving unit.

            Marvin Jones and Golden Tate lead the Lions wide receiving unit. They both are solid receivers with the knack for making timely plays to put the team in position to win games. The Lions could use a bigger playmaker at the wide receiver position but these two are perfect for Stafford and this offense. Eric Ebron is developing nicely with increased production every season that he has been in the league. I expect even more from him this season. He can be a great asset for them in the red zone. Stafford and this receiving group seem to be on the same page, they just need to get the running game on that page.

            The Lions expect starter level production for either Theo Riddick, or Ameer Abdullah. Abdullah has been plagued by injuries his first two season and only played in two games last season. When healthy Abdullah is a complete running back. He runs well in the system and is a playmaker in the passing game. His biggest issue is his health concerns. Reddick has also battled injuries and has been inconsistent when he is healthy. Riddick can be a serviceable running back but doesn’t seem to be able to carry the load alone. Then the lions have Zack Zenner!

I think it was Bill Belichick that said, “he’s a football player and I want football players”, that’s Zack Zenner. Zenner is a football player! He isn’t the fastest, bigger, or strongest player. He doesn’t wow you with big plays, but he is smart and tough. He is the perfect plan B option at running back when Riddick or Abdullah get hurt. I would start him and spell Abdullah and Riddick. Zenner brings a toughness element to this offense, something they could benefit from. The Lions don’t need a great rushing attack because Stafford has the ability to win games with his arm. They do need to improve on that 30^th ranked rushing attack (yards per game). They also need to improve that defense.

The Lions drafted Jarrad Davis, linebacker from Florida university, to replace DeAndrea Levy. Prior to the 2015 season Levy had been a stud linebacker for the Lions. He battled injuries the last two seasons and was cut this offseason. Replacing Levy won’t be easy but Jarred brings some of the same elements to this defense that Levy did.

The Lions also lost starting defensive linemen Devin Taylor to free agency. Taylor was a good linemen that helped them in both the pass and run game. They have signed some free agents players like Cornelius Washington and Akeem Spence to add to the depth along the defensive line. Ziggy Ansha and Haloti Ngata will be the leaders on the front line in 2017. Ansha is coming along as one of the better pass rusher in the league. Ngata has been one of the better interior defensive linemen in the league his entire career. If the Lions can get a solid rotation of players are this positional group they should form a solid unit.

Darius Slay is the Lions premiere cornerback. I like Slay’s game, he is a tough, physical corner that isn’t afraid to be aggressive in jumping passes. If they can ever get some safeties to help him out they may actual have a good secondary. Tez Tabor was the Lions second round pick. Tabor was a good cornerback in college and will compete with DJ Hayden, Nevin Lawson, and Quandre Diggs for the starting role opposite Slay. Glover Quinn has be a consistent safety and a quality starter his entire career, so he gives them stability more so than big play ability. The Lions still have a lot to figure out about this defensive unit before the start of the season.

The Detroit Lions are one of the teams that have the ability to finish anywhere between 6-10 and 10-6. That is the parity of the NFL. They lost three straight games to end the 2016 season and still found a way to make the playoffs (thank you Redskins and Buccaneers). The Lions looked outmatched against the Seahawks in their playoff game and really haven’t done much to improve this roster. Their biggest issue last season was on the defensive side of the ball. An attempt was made to address this issue but I’m not sure it was enough. They’re putting faith into their rookies, like most teams in the league. Stafford is going to have another great year. The offense will need to get more from the run game. The offensive unit will have to carry this team because the defense will struggle again. I expect the Lions to be in contention for a playoff spot. It will probably be a wildcard spot because I don’t see them beating out Minnesota or Green Bay for the division.