2017 Record - 9-7-0
Head Coach - Matt Patricia
2017 Offensive Ranking - 13th (338 ypg, 25.6 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 27th (356 ypg, 23.5 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - Matthew Stafford is back for another season at quarterback. Last season, he passed for 4,446 yards with 29 touchdowns and just ten interceptions.
Theo Riddick (286 rushing yards, three TD and 53 receptions for 444 yards, two TD) and Ameer Abdullah (552 yards, four TD) return to the backfield and will be joined by LeGarrette Blount (766 yards, 4.4 ypc average, two TD with Philadelphia) and rookie draft pick Kerryon Johnson (Auburn).
Wide receivers Golden Tate (92 receptions, 1,003 yards, five TD) and Marvin Jones (61, 1,101, nine TD) are the primary targets for Stafford in the passing game. The tight end is Luke Willson, formerly of Seattle, who had 15 catches for 153 yards and four touchdowns.
DEFENSE - The Lions have Ezekiel Ansah (12 QB sacks) Anthony Zettel (6 1/2 sacks) at the defensive end spots. Kerry Hyder is back in the fold after missing last season with an Achilles injury. Sylvester Williams is a tackle who will take the place of Haloti Ngata, who left as a free agent.
The linebackers are Devon Kennard, Jarrad Davis and Christian Jones. The secondary features corners Darius Slay (league leading eight interceptions) and Nevin Lawson. Safeties are Glover Quin (three picks) and Tavon Wilson.
Also in the mix is Quandre Diggs (three INT), rookie Tracy Walker (Louisiana-Lafayette) and free agent DeShawn Shead. The Lions picked off 19 passes a year ago and had 35 sacks.
OUTLOOK - The Lions have a new Head Coach as Matt Patricia takes over for the 2018 season after serving as Defensive Coordinator for the New England Patriots.
The defense is an area the Lions need to improve as they finished in the bottom third in two of the three categories last season. While Detroit did intercept 19 passes, they were also scorched, allowing 243 yards per game (27th) and gave up 23.5 points per game, which was 23rd overall.
On offense, Stafford leads the charge with two talented wide receivers in the passing attack, which ranked sixth last year (261 ypg) but the running game must get it going after finishing dead last in 2017 with a paltry average of 76 yards rushing per game. That is why LeGarrette Blount was signed from the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles to bolster the attack.
If the defense can be improved with Patricia's strategy and the offense continues to put points on the board (Detroit averaged 25.6 points a game) perhaps this team can get back to the playoffs for the third time in five years.
Figure on an 8-8 season unless nearly everything clicks on both sides of the ball. The Lions have the talent, but they have to show they can play consistent all season long.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. NY Jets
Week 2 - at San Francisco
Week 3 - vs. New England
Week 4 - at Dallas
Week 5 - vs. Green Bay
Week 6 - Bye
Week 7 - at Miami
Week 8 - vs. Seattle
Week 9 - at Minnesota
Week 10 - at Chicago
Week 11 - vs. Carolina
Week 12 - vs. Chicago
Week 13 - vs. LA Rams
Week 14 - at Arizona
Week 15 - at Buffalo
Week 16 - vs. Minnesota
Week 17 - at Green Bay
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