DETROIT LIONS
2022 Record - 9-8
Head Coach - Dan Campbell
Offensive Rank - 4th (380 YPG); Scoring - 5th (26.6 PPG)
Defensive Rank - 32nd (392 YPG); Scoring - 28th (25.1 PPG)
Jared Goff is the quarterback and he threw for 4,438 yards last season with 29 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. The running game will feature former Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery, who rushed for 801 yards (4.0 YPC average) and scored five touchdowns and also had 34 receptions for 316 yards and one score. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama) will also be in the backfield. The wide receivers are led by Amon-Ra St. Brown, who made 106 catches for 1,161 yards last year and scored six touchdowns. Marvin Jones, Jr. (46, 529, three TD) comes over from Jacksonville this season and Josh Reynolds (38, 479, three TD) and Kalif Raymond (47, 616 yards) are both also on hand. Brock Wright and rookie Sam LaPorta (Iowa) are the tight ends.
The defense will be led by second year defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson, who led the Lions with 9 1/2 QB sacks and also picked off three passes. Defensive end James Houston had eight sacks while linebacker Alex Anzalone led the team with 125 tackles. The secondary will get C.J. Gardner-Johnson this season and he had six interceptions with Philadelphia last year. Others in the defensive backfield include corners Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley and safeties Kerby Joseph (four INT) and Tracy Walker III.
OUTLOOK FOR 2023 - The Detroit Lions have been a punching bag around the NFL for several years and will be looking to make the playoffs this season for the first time in seven years after a strong finish last season. Head Coach Dan Campbell is a ball of fire and the Lions players love him and his positive attitude is infectious to the point they all buy into it.
Whether or not that will translate into another winning season and possible NFC North division title will depend on how well the defense plays. The Lions were awful a year ago on the defensive side, allowing 392 yards per game, which was last in the NFL. They also gave up 25.1 points per game. But with improvement in the secondary (Detroit ranked 30th in NFL in pass defense in 2022) and a good mix of veterans and younger players in tow, this team believes it will be a playoff team this season.
The Lions offense was fourth overall last year (380 YPG) and scored 26.6 points per game. In 2023, their motto "Restore the Roar" may just come true this time around, especially if Goff and company can match the success they had last season. Combine that with what looks like will be an improved defense and the Lions should get to the NFC playoffs.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Kansas City
Week Two - vs. Seattle
Week Three - vs. Atlanta
Week Four - at Green Bay
Week Five - vs. Carolina
Week Six - at Tampa Bay
Week Seven - at Baltimore
Week Eight - vs. Las Vegas
Week Nine - BYE
Week Ten - at L.A. Chargers
Week Eleven - vs. Chicago
Week Twelve - vs. Green Bay
Week Thirteen - at New Orleans
Week Fourteen - at Chicago
Week Fifteen - vs. Denver
Week Sixteen - at Minnesota
Week Seventeen - at Dallas
Week Eighteen - vs. Minnesota
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