2016 Record - 9-7-0
Head Coach - Jim Caldwell
Offensive Rank - 21st (339 yards per game, 21.6 points per game)
Defensive Rank - 18th (355 yards allowed per game, 22.4 points allowed per game)
Matthew Stafford (4,327 yards passing with 24 touchdowns and ten interceptions) is the quarterback and will have Jake Rudock as the backup. The running game will look to have Ameer Abdullah back at full strength after he was lost for the season in the second game.
Others in the mix include Theo Riddick (357 yards), Matt Asiata (402 yards, six TD in Minnesota), Dwayne Washington (265 yards) and Zach Zenner (334 yards, four TD). The wide receivers are led by Golden Tate (91 receptions for 1,077 yards and four TD) and Marvin Jones (55, 930, four TD). Rookie Kenny Golladay (Northern Illinois) will likely get major playing time. Eric Ebron (61, 711, one TD) is the tight end.
Defensively, Ezekiel Ansah (currently on PUP list) and Haloti Ngata will anchor the front line along with team sacks leader Kerry Hyder (eight QB sacks) while top rookie pick Jarrad Davis (Florida) is slated to start at middle linebacker. Darius Slay (two interceptions) will start at cornerback. Teez Tabor, another rookie from Florida, could start at the other corner spot. Safeties Glover Quin and Tavon Wilson each had two interceptions last season.
OUTLOOK FOR 2017 - The Lions made it back to the playoffs last season and in order to do the same this year they will need QB Matthew Stafford to step it up and make some big plays in the post-season (if they make it back again) to get the monkey off his back as a non-factor in the playoffs.
The running game would get a big boost if Ameer Abdullah returns to the form he showed prior to his season ending injury last year. If that happens, there are plenty of weapons in the passing game to make the offense roar in the 2017 season.
The defense was adequate a year ago, but the pass defense could improve after giving up 248 yards per game. Getting more takeaways would also be a big help. Detroit only had ten interceptions and four fumble recoveries last season.
Head Coach Jim Caldwell doesn't get much credit when teams he leads have success, but a return trip to the post-season could help to change that perception. However, that might not happen unless a lot goes just right in Motown this year. A very tough schedule looms large this season and the Lions may very well take a step back with a 6-10 finish.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Arizona
Week Two - at NY Giants
Week Three - vs. Atlanta
Week Four - at Minnesota
Week Five - vs. Carolina
Week Six - at New Orleans
Week Seven - BYE
Week Eight - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Nine - at Green Bay
Week Ten - vs. Cleveland
Week Eleven - at Chicago
Week Twelve - vs. Minneosta
Week Thirteen - at Baltimore
Week Fourteen - at Tampa Bay
Week Fifteen - vs. Chicago
Week Sixteen - at Cincinnati
Week Seventeen - vs. Green Bay
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