2018 Record - 6-10-0
Head Coach - Matt Patricia
Newcomers for 2019 - Trey Flowers (DE), Danny Amendola (WR), Jesse James (TE), C.J. Anderson (RB), Logan Thomas (TE), Tommylee Lewis (WR), Justin Coleman (DB), Rashaan Melvin (DB)
Keys on Offense - Matthew Stafford is back to quarterback the Lions after putting up fairly decent numbers last season (3,777 passing yards with 21 TD passes and 11 interceptions) but the team struggled on offense due to lack of a running game.
Kerryon Johnson (641 rushing yards, 5.4 ypc average and three TD) and C.J. Anderson (299 yards with two TD in limited action with the LA Rams in 2018) will be the backs to carry the ball this year. Theo Riddick is the third down back and made 61 catches last season.
The wide receiving corps consists of Kenny Golladay (70 receptions, 1,063 yards, five TD) and Marvin Jones, Jr. (35, 508, five TD) while newcomers to the team will be Danny Amendola and Tommylee Lewis.
Amendola had 59 receptions with Miami a year ago and Lewis played sparingly with the Saints. The tight end is likely to be top draft pick T.J. Hockenson (Iowa) along with Jesse James (30, 423, two TD with the Steelers) while Logan Thomas, a free agent from Buffalo, will be on hand as well.
Keys on Defense - Trey Flowers comes over from New England to play defensive end and he had 7 1/2 QB sacks last season for the Super Bowl champions. Romeo Okwara (seven sacks) is another stalwart along with Damon Harrison (3 1/2 sacks) up front while Devon Kennard anchors the linebackers. Kennard had seven sacks and along with Jarrad Davis (six sacks) is a big part of a defense that was tenth overall last season, giving up 335 yards per game.
Quandre Diggs and Darius Slay each had three interceptions and will be the key to the secondary unit again this season. Rashaan Melvin comes over from Oakland to provide depth.
OUTLOOK FOR 2019 - The Lions, under first year Head Coach Matt Patricia, finished in last place in the NFC North division in 2018 and will look to do better this season.
The running game was 23rd overall last year while the passing attack was 20th as the team averaged a paltry 327 yards per game and just over 20 points scored per game. That has to improve if Detroit wants to have any shot at getting out of the basement. Stafford was fair last season, but has shown the ability in past seasons to put up big numbers.
The defense was pretty solid (ranked tenth overall and also tenth against the run and eighth against the pass) but the secondary only made seven interceptions all season. The Lions can get after the quarterback and had 43 sacks (11th in the NFL) in 2018. Patricia insists on an attacking defense and now has a familiar face (Flowers) on the defense.
The likelihood is another losing record, but an 8-8 finish for the Lions would be better than the last place results in 2018. Detroit is looking to make the playoffs for the first time in three years.
If the offense can muster up some better production and the line can protect Stafford, this team should improve and with some breaks, maybe challenge for a wild card spot. One never knows from one season to another these days around the NFL as far as turnarounds go.
2019 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1- at Arizona
Week 2 - vs. LA Chargers
Week 3 - at Philadelphia
Week 4 - vs. Kansas City
Week 5 - BYE
Week 6 - at Green Bay
Week 7 - vs. Minnesota
Week 8 - vs. NY Giants
Week 9 - at Oakland
Week 10 - at Chicago
Week 11 - vs. Dallas
Week 12 - at Washington
Week 13 - vs. Chicago
Week 14 - at Minnesota
Week 15 - vs. Tampa Bay
Week 16 - at Denver
Week 17 - vs. Green Bay
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