2011 Detroit Lions Predictions
Written by Steve Janus
The Detroit Lions closed out the 2010 season with four straight wins to finish the year 6-10 overall. While it’s hard to get excited about a losing season, it was four more wins than the Lions had combined in the previous two seasons. Detroit has put together a young nucleus of talent under head coach Jim Schwartz, and could be ready to make a huge jump in 2011. Seven of the Lions 10 losses last year came by eight-points or less. Let’s take a look at what Detroit will be sending out to the field on both sides of the ball, plus my thoughts on where they finish inside the NFC North.
Offense:
Just how good the Lions are in 2011 will depend in large on the health of starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, who played in just three games because of a shoulder injury. While backups Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton played well in Stafford’s absence, there is no question this team is on a different level when Stafford is on the field. If he can stay healthy, the Lions offense could really surprise some people this season.
The one area the Lions were hoping to improve this offseason was the running game. Detroit finished with the 23rd ranked rushing attack, averaging just 100.8 yards per game. They went out and drafted Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure in the second round, but he is out for the season with a torn left Achilles tendon. They bring back second-year back Jahvid Best and veteran Maurice Morris, but don’t be surprised if they don’t add another veteran back before the season starts. Best had a team-best 555 yards rushing and also caught 58 passes for 487 yards.
The Lions have one of the top receivers in the NFL in Calvin Johnson, who is caught 77 passes for 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns, despite playing with three different quarterbacks. Johnson has the potential to put up huge numbers if Stafford can stay on the field. The Lions also have a couple of solid options in wide out Nate Burleson and tight end Brandon Pettigrew, plus they just drafted Boise State wide out Titus Young to come in right away and compete for the No. 3 spot. Even if Stafford goes down, this unit figures to put up some pretty nice numbers with the lack of a running game.
The offensive line returns all five starters from last year. Despite the injuries suffered at quarterback, this unit allowed just 27 sacks, which tied for the sixth lowest total of any team in 2010. The only starter to even miss a start was right tackle Gosder Cherilus, who missed four games with a knee injury.
Defense:
The Lions finished with the 24th ranked run defense in the NFL last year, despite a phenomenal rookie season from defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who was the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned All-Pro honors. They brought back veteran Corey Williams at tackle, but also wend out and added Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley with their first round pick. Fairley and Suh could quickly become the most feared duo in the NFL, and they should only make life easier on defensive ends Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch.
Detroit also added two new starters at linebacker, bringing in free agent outside linebackers Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant to team up with emerging middle linebacker DeAndre Levy. They also have some nice depth at the position with Bobby Carpenter, Ashlee Palmer, and Isaiah Ekejiuba.
I have some concerns with the secondary, but if the front seven is as good as advertised this unit will play much better than expected. They return starting corner Chris Houston and have added in free agent Eric Wright to start opposite. Louis Delmas returns at free safety, while veteran Erik Coleman and youngster Amari Spievey fight for the starting strong safety spot.
Prediction: 2nd NFC North, 9-7 Overall – I don’t think there is a lot that separates the Lions, Bears, and Vikings in the North, as they all fight for second place behind the Packers. Unlike the Bears and Vikings, Detroit is a young team on the verge of really turning things around, much like the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of a year ago. I’m counting on Stafford to stay healthy, which will have the Lions snapping 10 straight seasons without a winning record.
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