DETROIT LIONS
2023 Record - 12-5
Head Coeach - Dan Campbell
Key Additions - Carlton Davis III (DB), Kevin Zeitler (OL), Amik Robertson (DB), D.J. Reader (DL)
Key Losses - Josh Reynolds (WR), Jerry Jacobs (DB), Cameron Sutton (DB), Jonah Jackson (OL), Benito Jones (DL), C.J. Gardner-Johnson (DB)
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - Jared Goff (4,575 yards, 30 TD, 12 INT)
RUSHING - David Montgomery (1,015 yards, 4.6 ypc, 13 TD)
RECEIVING - Amon-Ra St. Brown (119 receptions, 1,515 yards, 10 TD), Sam LaPorta (86, 889, 10 TD)
SACKS - Aidan Hutchinson (11 1/2)
INTERCEPTIONS - Kerby Joseph (4)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - The Detroit Lions did indeed "Restore The Roar" last season, but came up just short of reaching their first ever Super Bowl when they squandered a 17-point lead against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, eventually losing, 34-31 which ended their dream 2023 season. Head Coach Dan Campbell is a fiery leader and knows his team can do more this year, so there is much anticipated excitement in the Motor City once again as the Lions look to go one more step and reach the Super Bowl.
The offense was great a a year ago, averaging 395 yards per game with good balance (259 passing yards- 2nd in NFL and 136 rushing YPG, which was 5th overall) that was ranked number three in pro football. The Lions scored 27 points per game last season, which was fifth best in the league. Quarterback Jared Goff had perhaps his best ever regular season and he has plenty of targets with wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and tight end Sam LaPorta, who had 86 grabs for 889 yards and ten touchdowns. The running game has a solid duo with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs (5.2 ypc average) as both reached double digits in rushing touchdowns a year ago.
The defense was great against the run, allowing 89 YPG (2nd in NFL) but struggled against the pass as the Lions allowed 247 yards per game, which ranked 27th. Overall, Detroit allowed 336 YPG (19th) and gave up 23.2 points per game. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson continued to be a monster in his second season, leading the team in sacks and linebacker Alex Anzalone led the Lions in total tackles and combines with Jack Campbell and newcomers up front (free agents) Marcus Davenport and D.J. Reader to form a stellar front seven. The secondary is looking to free agent signee Carlton Davis III to help out along with safety Kerby Joseph and corners Brian Branch and Terrion Arnold to improve against opposing passing attacks.
The Lions have the potential to reach the Super Bowl as they showed last year, but the defense must step up in clutch situations and finish the job if they want to make it to their goal. As long as they stay hungry and continue to handle the teams within their division, the Lions should win another NFC North title and perhaps knock off San Francisco (the pre-season favorites in the NFC to reach another Super Bowl) this time around. It won't be easy as they now have a huge target on their backs after the success they had a year ago. Green Bay is solid and the Chicago Bears look to be much improved as well, so the Lions will have a tough task ahead of them. Expect them to be right there at the end of this season and perhaps go a little further in January this time around.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Two - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Three - at Arizona
Week Four - vs. Seattle
Week Five - BYE
Week Six - at Dallas
Week Seven - at Minnesota
Week Eight - vs. Tennessee
Week Nine - at Green Bay
Week Ten - at Houston
Week Eleven - vs. Jacksonville
Week Twelve - at Indianapolis
Week Thirteen - vs. Chicago
Week Fourteen - vs. Green Bay
Week Fifteen - vs. Buffalo
Week Sixteen - at Chicago
Week Seventeen - at San Francisco
Week Eighteen - vs. Minnesota
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