2019 Record - 3-12-1
Head Coach - Matt Patricia
New Players in 2020 - Jamie Collins (LB), Danny Shelton (DL), Duron Harmon (DB), Reggie Ragland (LB), Chase Daniel (QB), Darryl Roberts (DB), Nick Williams (DL), Jayron Kearse (DB), Desmond Trufant (DB), Tony McRae (DB), Geremy Davis (WR), Hala Vaitai (OL), Elijah Lee (LB)
Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - Geronimo Allison (WR), John Atkins (DL), Russell Bodine (OL)
OFFENSE - Matthew Stafford returns to the role of starting quarterback this season after missing eight games a year ago with various injuries, most notably a back injury. Stafford threw for 2,499 yards with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. Backing up for Detroit are David Blough (984, four TD, six INT in 2019) and Chase Daniel, who comes over from the Chicago Bears.
Rookie running back D'Andre Swift (Georgia) is in camp and is likely to take over as the primary runner this season. Kerryon Johnson led the Lions last year with 406 rushing yards (3.6 ypc average) and three touchdowns.
The wide receivers are Kenny Golladay (65 receptions, 1,190 yards, eleven TD), Marvin Jones, Jr. (62, 779, nine TD), Danny Amendola (62, 678, one TD) and rookie Quintez Cephus (Wisconsin). The tight ends will be T.J. Hockenson (32, 367, two TD) and Jesse James (16, 142 yards).
The Lions passing offense was tenth last season (244 YPG) while the running game averaged 103 yards a game (21st) for a total offense that ranked 17th overall, gaining 347 yards per game. Detroit averaged 21.3 points per game.
DEFENSE - Lots of new personnel in place for this season as former New England Patriots players such as linebacker Jamie Collins (seven QB sacks and three interceptions, including one for touchdown), defensive lineman Danny Shelton (three sacks) and Duron Harmon, a safety who had two interceptions a year ago all are on board for the 2020 season. Rookie draft picks Jeff Okudah (number three overall in NFL draft) is a cornerback from Ohio State and along with linebacker Julian Okwara (Notre Dame) will definitely be in the mix right away.
Defensive end Trey Flowers (seven sacks) and tackles (Danny) Shelton and Nick Williams (six sacks with Chicago) form the front line. Collins will man the outside linebacker spot along with Christian Jones (two sacks) while Jarrad Davis and Jahlani Tavai play inside linebacker. Reggie Ragland (two sacks with Kansas City) and (Julian) Okwara will contribute as well.
The secondary will have the rookie Okudah and Desmond Trufant (four picks with Atlanta last season) at the corners while Harmon and Tracy Walker play safety. Others in the mix are Jayron Kearse, Will Harris, Darryl Roberts and Amani Oruwariye, who had two interceptions.
OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - Detroit went through a lot of changes since last season, during which they will look to improve from a dismal season that saw them lose their last nine games and finish last in the NFC North for the second consecutive season.
Head Coach Matt Patricia is on the hot seat and he now has four former players from when he was the defensive coordinator in New England on the team. Whether that translates into a better defense remains to be seen, but it cannot hurt after last year's debacle when the Lions were 31st in the NFL in defense, allowing 400 yards per game. The pass defense was the worst in pro football, allowing 284 yards per game while the run defense gave up 116 YPG (21st). The Lions allowed 26.4 points per game (26th) and only registered 28 sacks while getting just seven interceptions.
Protecting the quarterback (43 sacks allowed in 2019) and the football is a must this season. The Lions were a minus-five in the turnover category and have to improve if they want to compete in the NFC North division. Detroit was winless in their divisional games last season.
The offense has weapons and if Swift can deliver, it should help to improve the anemic running game. Matthew Stafford has to remain healthy if the team expects to have any type of consistency on offense. The Lions can air it out and they can score points. The key will be the defense limiting opponents.
The way teams make one-year turnarounds in the NFL these days isn't rare, so the Lions cannot be counted out. The first ten games on the schedule don't appear to be real tough for the Lions, but then again they have to make things happen if they expect to be competitive.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Chicago
Week Two - at Green Bay
Week Three - at Arizona
Week Four - vs. New Orleans
Week Five - BYE
Week Six - at Jacksonville
Week Seven - at Atlanta
Week Eight - vs. Indianapolis
Week Nine - at Minnesota
Week Ten - vs. Washington
Week Eleven - at Carolina
Week Twelve - vs. Houston
Week Thirteen - at Chicago
Week Fourteen - vs. Green Bay
Week Fifteen - at Tennessee
Week Sixteen - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Seventeen - vs. Minnesota
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