Los Angeles Chargers - 2021 NFL Season Preview

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS                                               

 

2020 Record - 7-9-0

 

Head Coach - Brandon Staley

 

Key Additions - Jared Cook (TE), Chase Daniel (QB), Oday Aboushi (OL), Kyler Fackrell (LB), Corey Linsley (OL), Matt Feiler (OL), Ryan Smith (DB)

 

OFFENSE - Second year quarterback Justin Herbert will start once again after a big rookie season in which he passed for 4,336 yards with 31 touchdowns (a new NFL record for rookies) and just ten interceptions. Chase Daniel and Easton Stick will be the backups.

Running backs Austin Ekeler (530 rushing yards with a 4.6 ypc average and one touchdown and also 54 receptions for 403 yards and two TD), Josh Kelley (354 yards and two TD) and Justin Jackson make the running game go for the Chargers. The wide receivers are led by Keenan Allen, who had 100 receptions last season for 992 yards and eight touchdowns. Mike Williams (48, 756, five TD), Jalen Guyton (28, 511, three TD), Tyron Johnson and rookie Joshua Palmer (Tennessee) are also in the mix. The tight end is Jared Cook, who had 37 receptions for 504 yards and seven touchdowns with the New Orleans Saints a year ago. He will be replacing Hunter Henry, who left in free agency.

DEFENSE - The Chargers defense has end Joey Bosa (team high 7 1/2 QB sacks last season) up front along with Uchenna Nwosu (4 1/2 sacks), Linval Joseph and Jerry Tillery. Justin Jones and edge rusher/linebacker Kyler Fackrell provide depth. The linebackers include Drue Tranquill, Kenneth Murray, Emeke Egbule and Kyzir White. 

In the secondary will be cornerbacks Chris Harris, Jr., Michael Davis (three interceptions) and rookie Asante Samuel, Jr. (Florida State) along with safeties Derwin James and Nasir Adderley. Alohi Gilman and rookie Mark Webb (Georgia) will vie for playing time as well. The Chargers gave up 26.6 points per game a year ago while finishing tenth overall in total defense, allowing 343 yards per game. The run defense gave up 120 YPG and the pass defense was ninth in the NFL, allowing 223 yards per game while picking off twelve passes. The Chargers had 27 quarterback sacks and saw a plus-three in the turnover category.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - A new Head Coach comes along this season as Brandon Staley takes over and he is one of the younger coaches in the NFL. The Chargers finished strong last season and whether that can carry over to this season remains to be seen. It will depend a lot on how much Herbert continues to develop at quarterback with a new system and coaching staff. He was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 and showed good poise. 

The 'Bolts lost seven one-score games last season and also won five of them, so the little things and attention to detail will go a long way as to whether they can improve enough to get back to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. The defense has to be better, especially against the run. The Chargers were 18th in the league in that area. An improved pass rush is also a must because Bosa cannot do it all by himself and this season he won't have "book end" pass rusher Melvin Ingram (free agent) around to help. The pass defense was solid a year ago and should be even better if safety (Derwin) James can stay healthy. He has missed much of the last two seasons with various injuries.

The offense is solid and will only get better as Herbert and the passing game improve with more experience. The Chargers passing game averaged 271 yards per game last year (6th in NFL) and scored an average of 24 points per game. The running game averaged 111 YPG and overall the offense finished ninth in the NFL, averaging 382 yards per game. If the Chargers can make the improvements necessary to win those close games, they could make the playoffs. A 9-8 record is realistic and that could be enough to get them into the post-season, but they have a rugged schedule in the first half of the 2021 season and that will determine how far they progress this year.

 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at Washington 

Week 2 - vs. Dallas 

Week 3 - at Kansas City

Week 4 - vs. Las Vegas

Week 5 - vs. Cleveland 

Week 6 - at Baltimore 

Week 7 - BYE 

Week 8 - vs. New England 

Week 9 - at Philadelphia 

Week 10 - vs. Minnesota 

Week 11 - vs. Pittsburgh 

Week 12 - at Denver 

Week 13 - at Cincinnati 

Week 14 - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week 15 - vs. Kansas City 

Week 16 - at Houston 

Week 17 - vs. Denver 

Week 18 - at Las Vegas

Las Vegas Raiders - 2021 NFL Season Preview

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS                                       

 

2020 Record - 8-8-0

 

Head Coach - Jon  Gruden 

 

Key Additions - John Brown (WR), Kenyan Drake (RB), Willie Snead (WR), Solomon Thomas (DL), Rasul Douglas (DB), Quinton Jefferson (DL), Karl Joseph (DB), Yannick Ngakoue (DL), Nick Martin (OL)

 

OFFENSE - Derek Carr will be the starting quarterback again this season after passing for 4,103 yards along with 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also scored three rushing touchdowns. Marcus Mariota is the backup. The primary running backs include Josh Jacobs (1,065 rushing yards, 3.9 ypc average and twelve TD) and Kenyan Drake (940, 3.6, seven TD with Arizona in 2020). 

The wide receivers are Henry Rugss III (26 receptions for 452 yards with two TD), Hunter Renfrow (56, 656, two TD), Willie Snead (33, 432, three TD with Baltimore) and John Brown, who hauled in 33 receptions for 458 yards and three scores with the Buffalo Bills last season. The tight end is Darren Waller, who led the Raiders with 107 catches for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns. 

The Raiders offense finished eighth in the NFL in 2020, averaging 383 yards per game while scoring 27.1 PPG and also averaged 120 yards rushing per game (14th overall) and 263 yards passing per game, which was seventh in the NFL.

DEFENSE - Clelin Ferrell and Yannick Ngakoue will look to be the defensive end starters along with tackles Johnathan Hankins and Quinton Jefferson. Maxx Crosby (seven QB sacks) is another front line stalwart for the Raiders. Linebackers include Nicholas Morrow (three sacks), Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton. Javin White, Tanner Muse and James Onwualu provide depth. 

In the secondary are cornerbacks Trayvon Mullen and Damon Arnette. Nate Hobbs, a rookie from Illinois and Rasul Douglas are also in the mix. the safeties include Johnathan Abram, Dallin Leavitt and rookies Trevon Moehrig (TCU) and Tyree Gillespie (Missouri). Veteran Karl Jospeh is also available along with Casey Hayward, Jr. to help spell the starters.

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Raiders fell out of contention a year ago by dropping three of their final four games and Head Coach Jon Gruden needs the team to avoid another late-season collapse if they want to end a five year playoff drought. 

Derek Carr had an up and down year at quarterback and returns for his seventh season in the silver and black. The running game has more depth this year with Kenyan Drake coming over from Arizona to join Josh Jacobs in the backfield. The receiving corps showed some promise, but TE Darren Waller is the main target for the passing game. 

Defensively, the Raiders struggled in 2020, allowing 29.9 PPG (30th in the league) while also finishing in the bottom third of the NFL by allowing 389 yards per game, which included 126 yards per game against the run and 263 YPG against the pass. They only had ten interceptions and just 21 quarterback sacks and those areas must improve in the 2021 season if the Raiders want to contend in the AFC West against the likes of Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers. Most likely, the Raiders will go 7-10 and fall short of making the playoffs once again while failing to hit double digits in the win column for the fifth straight year.

2021 SCHEDULE

Week 1 - vs. Baltimore 

Week 2 - at Pittsburgh 

Week 3 - vs. Miami 

Week 4 - at L.A. Chargers 

Week 5 - vs. Chicago 

Week 6 - at Denver 

Week 7 - vs. Philadelphia 

Week 8 - BYE 

Week 9 - at N.Y. Giants 

Week 10 - vs. Kansas City 

Week 11 - vs. Cincinnati 

Week 12 - at Dallas 

Week 13 - vs. Washington 

Week 14 - at Kansas City 

Week 15 - at Cleveland 

Week 16 - vs. Denver 

Week 17 - at Indianapolis 

Week 18 - vs. L.A. Chargers

Kansas City Chiefs - 2021 NFL Season Preview

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS                            

2020 Record - 14-2-0

 

Head Coach - Andy Reid 

 

Key Additions - Orlando Brown, Jr. (OL), Kyle Long (OL), Joe Thuney (OL), Blake Bell (TE), Austin Blythe (OL), Michael Burton (RB), Jerrick McKinnon (RB), Jarran Reed (DL)

 

OFFENSE - Quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for 4,740 yards with 38 touchdowns and only six interceptions last season and also rushed for 308 yards and scored two touchdowns. The running game has Clyde Edwards-Helaire (803 yards, 4.4 ypc average and four TD), Darrel Williams and Jerrick McKinnon, who rushed for 319 yards (3.9 ypc) and five touchdowns with San Francisco last year. 

The wide receivers are Demarcus Robinson (45 receptions for 466 yards and three TD), Tyreek Hill (87, 1,275, 15 TD) and Mecole Hardman, Jr., who caught 41 passes for 560 yards and four touchdowns. Tight end Travis Kelce is the main target in the Chiefs passing game and he had 105 receptions last season for 1,416 yards and eleven touchdowns. 

The Chiefs offense was the best in the NFL in 2020, averaging 416 yards per game while topping the league in passing as well with 303 yards per game. The running game was 16th overall, averaging 113 yards per game. Kansas City averaged 29.6 PPG and was 6th in the league in scoring.

 

DEFENSE - Chris Jones (defensive tackle) and Frank Clark (defensive end) lead the way up front for Kansas City. Jones registered 7 1/2 quarterback sacks last season and Clark had six sacks. Taco Charlton, Derrick Nnadi and Jarran Reed (6 1/2 sacks with Seattle Seahawks) will make up the rest of the front four. Willie Gay, Jr. and Anthony Hitchens will combine with perhaps Nick Bolton (rookie from Missouri) at the linebacker spots. Others include Darius Harris, Ben Niemann and Omari Cobb. 

In the secondary is safety Tyrann Mathieu, who had six of the Chiefs 16 interceptions last season. Along with the "Honey Badger" at safety is Juan Thornhill. The corners are L'Jarius Sneed and Charvarius Ward. Daniel Sorenson, Armani Watts, Rashad Fenton and Deandre Baker provide depth to the defensive backfield.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - With Mahomes and company doing their thing on offense, the Chiefs will put up a lot of points once again this year. The key for the offense to click will be the offensive line giving Mahomes the protection he needs to make things hum along. In the Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay, Mahomes was battered and sacked and sent scrambling all over the field due to poor pass protection. Head Coach Andy Reid is hopeful the revamped offensive line will change all of that. 

The defense was decent a year ago, allowing 358 yards per game (16th in NFL) while allowing 22.6 points per game. Better pressure on the quarterback would be a plus as the Chiefs only had 32 sacks last year. The pass defense ranked 14th (236 YPG allowed) and the run defense struggled, giving up 122 yards per game, which was 21st overall. 

Since Mahomes took over as the starting QB in 2018, the Chiefs have dominated the AFC West division and should likely do it again this year. A 13-4 record should be enough to get another division crown, but the Chiefs want to win another Super Bowl after being denied the repeat performance last February. It is very possible they could make it back for a third straight season and as along as the offense does their thing and the defense improves, another Lombardi trophy could be held high in about six months. 

 

2021 SCHEDULE

Week 1 - vs. Cleveland 

Week 2 - at Baltimore 

Week 3 - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week 4 - at Philadelphia 

Week 5 - vs. Buffalo 

Week 6 - at Washington 

Week 7 - at Tennessee 

Week 8 - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week 9 - vs. Green Bay 

Week 10 - at Las Vegas 

Week 11 - vs. Dallas 

Week 12 - BYE 

Week 13 - vs. Denver 

Week 14 - vs. Las Vegas 

Week 15 - at L.A. Chargers 

Week 16 - vs. Pittsburgh 

Week 17 - at Cincinnati 

Week 18 - at Denver 

Denver Broncos - 2021 NFL Season Preview

DENVER BRONCOS                                                               

 

2020 Record - 5-11-0

 

Head Coach - Vic Fangio 

 

Key Additions - Teddy Bridgewater (QB), Mike Boone (RB), Ronald Darby (CB), Kyle Fuller (CB), Bobby Massie (OL), Cameron Fleming (OL), Shamar Stephen (DL)

 

OFFENSE - Teddy Bridgewater was brought in this off-season to compete for the starting quarterback job with Drew Lock, who passed for 2,933 yards last year with 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Bridgewater (with Carolina last season) passed for 3,733 yards with 15 touchdowns and eleven interceptions while also rushing for 279 yards and five touchdowns. 

Melvin Gordon will be the primary running back after rushing for 986 yards (4.6 ypc average) and nine scores a year ago. He also had 32 receptions with one touchdown. Royce Freeman (4.9 ypc average) and rookie Javonte Williams (North Carolina) will provide the backup in the running game. The wide receivers include Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy (52 receptions, 856 yards and three TD), KJ Hamler (30, 381, three TD) and Tim Patrick, who caught 51 passes for 742 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Noah Fant led the team last year with 62 receptions for 673 yards and three touchdowns. 

DEFENSE - Mike Purcell (nose tackle) and ends Shelby Harris and Dre'Mont Jones man the front line for the Broncos while former All-Pro Von Miller (coming back from severe ankle injury), Josey Jewell, Alexander Johnson, Malik Reed (team high eight QB sacks) and Bradley Chubb (7 1/2 sacks) will be the linebackers. Rookie Baron Browning (Ohio State) will look to be in the mix as well. Shamar Stephen comes in via free agency to provide depth on the defensive line.

In the secondary is Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller at the corners along with Justin Simmons (five interceptions) and Kareem Jackson at the safety spots. Both Darby and Fuller are coming in this year from different teams. Bryce Callahan (two picks) is another cornerback along with rookie Pat Surtain II (Alabama). Two more rookie safeties include Jamar Johnson (Indiana) and Caden Sterns (Texas). Nate Hairston provides depth as well.

The Broncos defense fell back to 25th in scoring defense (allowing 27.9 points per game in 2020) while finishing 20th overall, giving up 368 yards per game. The run defense allowed 130 YPG (25th ranked) and the pass defense was 16th last year, allowing 238 yards per game. Denver had 42 QB sacks last season, but managed just 16 takeaways.

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - Since winning the Super Bowl in the 2015 season, the Broncos haven't hit double digits in wins since then and Head Coach Vic Fangio would like to see that change or else he will more than likely be on the "hot seat" this season. 

The primary battle for the starting quarterback spot with Bridgewater and Lock will be interesting to watch unfold. Denver averaged just 20.2 PPG last year (28th ranked in the NFL) and the passing game averaged 216 yards, which was 26th overall. The running game managed 120 YPG (13th in NFL) to account for 336 yards per game in total offense, which was 23rd in the league. More scoring is the priority in the Mile High City in 2021 while the defense will look to get more turnovers and stop opponents from piling up the points. The offense should get a big boost with WR Courtland Sutton back healthy this season. Sutton had 117 receptions for 1,882 yards and ten touchdowns in 2019, but missed 15 games last year with a knee injury.

With key players on both sides of the ball back this year, the Broncos should see more consistency during the 17-game schedule. The passing game must improve so that enemy defenses cannot stack the box and contain Gordon and company in the running game. As long as Denver can keep up with opponents on the scoreboard, they should be better this year. A 9-8 season is not out of the question, which would be a four-game improvement from last year. 

Stay tuned.

 

2021 SCHEDULE

Week 1 - at N.Y. Giants 

Week 2 - at Jacksonville 

Week 3 - vs. N.Y. Jets 

Week 4 - vs. Baltimore

Week 5 - at Pittsburgh 

Week 6 - vs. Dallas 

Week 7 - at Cleveland 

Week 8 - vs. Washington 

Week 9 - at Dallas 

Week 10 - vs. Philadelphia 

Week 11 - BYE 

Week 12 - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week 13 - at Kansas City 

Week 14 - vs. Detroit 

Week 15 - vs. Cincinnati 

Week 16 - at Las Vegas 

Week 17 - at L.A. Chargers 

Week 18 - vs. Kansas City 

 

Minnesota Vikings - 2021 NFL Season Preview

MINNESOTA VIKINGS                                                      

2020 Record - 7-9-0 

 

Head Coach - Mike Zimmer 

 

Key Additions - Patrick Peterson (CB), Mackensie Alexander (CB), Mason Cole (OL), Dalvin Tomlinson (DL), Nick Vigil (LB), Xavier Woods (DB), Stephen Weatherly (DL)

OFFENSE - The Vikings will have Kirk Cousins (4,265 passing yards with 35 touchdowns and 13 interceptions) at quarterback again this season while Jake Browning, Nate Stanley and rookie Kellen Mond (Texas A & M) look to be the backups. 

Dalvin Cook leads the running game and he went for 1,557 rushing yards last season (5.0 ypc average) and scored 16 touchdowns and also had 44 receptions with one touchdown. Alexander Mattison (434, 4.2 ypc, two TD) is a very reliable backup. The wideouts include Adam Thielen (74 receptions for 925 yards and 14 touchdowns), Justin Jefferson (88, 1,400, eight TD) and Chad Beebe (20, 201, two TD). The tight ends are Irv Smith, Jr. (30, 365, five TD) and Tyler Conklin. 

The Vikings ranked fourth overall on offense a year ago, averaging 393 yards per game (143 rushing and 250 passing) while scoring 26.9 points per game, which was eleventh in the NFL. 

DEFENSE - Danielle Hunter and Stephen Weatherly will play defensive end while Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson will be the tackles on the front line. Eric Kendricks is the middle linebacker and Nick Vigil and Anthony Barr are the outside linebackers. In the secondary is cornerback Patrick Peterson, who had three interceptions with Arizona a year ago and Cameron Dantzler (corner) along with safeties Xavier Woods and Harrison Smith, who had five picks last season. 

Adding depth to the Minnesota defense are defensive linemen Armon Watts, James Lynch, DJ Wonnum and rookie Patrick Jones (Pittsburgh). Rookie Chazz Surratt (North Carolina), Blake Lynch, Ryan Connelly will be ready to go at linebacker while Mackensie Alexander, Jeff Gladney, Josh Metellus and rookie Camryn Bynum (California) provide depth in the defensive backfield.

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Vikings slipped to a sub .500 record a year ago and Head Coach Mike Zimmer has been known for his strong defenses, so that was a priority in the off-season as the team fell to 27th overall (393 YPG allowed) and 29th in the league in scoring defense, giving up 29.7 points per game. The Vikings allowed 134 YPG rushing (27th) and 259 yards a game against the pass, which was 25th in the league. More pressure on opposing quarterbacks is also a must after just 23 sacks in 2020.

So it's no surprise that Minnesota drafted five players on defense and also brought in five potential defensive starters via free agency for the 2021 season. The offense was decent and averaged just a shade under 27 points per game, which in normal years is enough to win enough games to make the playoffs. As long as QB Kirk Cousins stays healthy and his receivers continue in their consistent ways, the air attack will flourish and the ground game is in solid hands with Dalvin Cook as the primary runner. 

The defensive improvement will be the key this year for the Vikings if they want to compete with Green Bay for the NFC North crown. The Vikings split their two divisional games with the Packers and the Chicago Bears, both playoff teams a year ago. If things go right, look for the Vikings to rack up a 9-8 record this season, which could be enough to get back into the post-season as a wild card team. 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at Cincinnati 

Week 2 - at Arizona 

Week 3 - vs. Seattle 

Week 4 - vs. Cleveland

Week 5 - vs. Detroit 

Week 6 - at Carolina 

Week 7 - BYE

Week 8 - vs. Dallas

Week 9 - at Baltimore 

Week 10 - at L.A. Chargers 

Week 11 - vs. Green Bay 

Week 12 - at San Francisco 

Week 13 - at Detroit 

Week 14 - vs. Pittsburgh 

Week 15 - at Chicago 

Week 16 - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week 17 - at Green Bay 

Week 18 - vs. Chicago 

 

 

 

Green Bay Packers - 2021 NFL Season Preview

GREEN BAY PACKERS                                                    

2020 Record - 13-3-0

 

Head Coach - Matt LaFleur 

 

Key Additions - Randall Cobb (WR)

 

OFFENSE - With quarterback Aaron Rodgers back for another year, Green Bay has the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player. Rodgers passed for 4,299 yards last season with 48 TD passes and just five interceptions. He also scored three rushing touchdowns. Second year man Jordan Love is the backup quarterback. 

Aaron Jones leads the running attack for the Packers once again after going for 1,104 yards (5.5 YPC average) and nine touchdowns in the 2020 season. Jones also caught 47 passes for 355 yards and two more scores. AJ Dillon (242, 5.3, two TD) will likely get more carries with Jamaal Williams leaving in free agency this year. The wide receivers are led by Davante Adams, who hauled in 115 receptions for 1,374 yards and 18 touchdowns. Marquez Valdes-Scantling (33, 690, six TD) and Allen Lazard (33, 451, three TD) are the other primary targets in the passing game. Devin Fuchness is in camp this year  to add depth as well as Randall Cobb, who had 38 receptions for 441 yards and three touchdowns in Houston last season. Robert Tonyan (52, 586, eleven TD) is the tight end and 15-year veteran Mercedes Lewis is another option at tight end. 

DEFENSE - Kenny Clark (Nose Tackle) and ends Dean Lowry and Kingsley Keke man the front line for the Packers while linebackers Za'Darius Smith (team high 12 1/2 QB sacks), Kamal Martin, Krys Barnes, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary (five sacks) round out the front seven. 

The defensive backs include Jaire Alexander and Kevin King at the corners along with safeties Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, who had four interceptions a year ago. Adding depth in the secondary will be Chandon Sullivan, rookie Eric Stokes (Georgia), Vernon Scott and Will Redmond. 

Green Bay's defense ranked ninth overall last season, allowing 334 yards per game while giving up 23.1 points per game. The run defense allowed 113 yards while the pass defense gave up 221 yards per game while intercepting eleven passes. The Packers registered 41 sacks, which was tenth in the NFL. 

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - As long as QB Aaron Rodgers is standing upright, the Packers are always in any game they play. The off-season drama between Rodgers and team management was a distraction, but as training camp opened, Rodgers was there and the differences appear to be settled in what could be his final season in Green Bay. 

Head Coach Matt LaFleur would like to see the team take the next step and get to the Super Bowl this season after falling in the NFC Championship Game for the second straight time last January. The Packers offense should hum along just fine (barring any major injuries to key players) once again this year after leading the NFL in scoring in 2020, averaging 31.8 points per game. Green Bay was fifth overall on offense (389 YPG) while ranking in the league's top ten in both rushing (132 YPG) and passing (257 YPG) last year. 

It it once again Super Bowl or bust for the Green Bay Packers, who should cruise to a third consecutive NFC North division title with perhaps a 12-5 record. What they do in the playoffs will depend on Rodgers and the defense coming up big when it matters most, which is something they have failed to do the last two years in the post-season.

 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at New Orleans 

Week 2 - vs. Detroit 

Week 3 - at San Francisco 

Week 4 - vs. Pittsburgh 

Week 5 - at Cincinnati 

Week 6 - at Chicago 

Week 7 - vs. Washington 

Week 8 - at Arizona 

Week 9 - at Kansas City 

Week 10 - vs. Seattle 

Week 11 - at Minnesota 

Week 12 - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week 13 - BYE 

Week 14 - vs. Chicago 

Week 15 - at Baltimore 

Week 16 - vs. Cleveland 

Week 17 - vs. Minnesota 

Week 18 - at Detroit 

 

Detroit Lions - 2021 NFL Season Preview

DETROIT LIONS                                                                        

                                                    

2020 RECORD - 5-11-0 

 

Head Coach - Dan Campbell 

 

Key Additions - Jared Goff (QB), Tyrell Williams (WR), Breshard Perriman (WR), Alex Anzalone (LB), Jamaal Williams (RB), Quinton Dunbar (CB), Michael Brockers (DL)

OFFENSE - The Lions will have former Rams quarterback Jared Goff taking over this season. Goff threw for 3,952 yards along with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last year. Backing up will be Tim Boyle. The running backs are D'Andre Swift (521 rushing yards, 4.6 ypc average and eight TD along with 46 receptions and two TD) and Jamaal Williams, who rushed for 505 yards (4.2 ypc) and two touchdowns with Green Bay last year. Breshard Perriman (30 receptions for 505 yards and three TD with the N.Y. Jets) and Tyrell Williams come over this season at wide receiver via free agency. Also in the mix are Damien Ratley, Kalif Raymond and Quintez Cephus (20, 349, two TD). The tight end is T.J. Hockenson, who had 67 receptions for 723 yards and six touchdowns.

DEFENSE - Romeo Okwara (ten QB sacks), Michael Brockers, Nick Williams and Trey Flowers will be up front for the Lions while Jamie Collins, Alex Anzalone and Jahlani Tavai are the linebackers. Adding depth to the front seven is Charles Harris, rookie Levi Onwuzurike (Washington), Julian Okwara, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and rookie Derrick Barnes (Purdue). 

In the secondary are corners Jeff Okuda and Quinton Dunbar while Will Harris and Tracy Walker play the safety spots. C.J. Moore, Dean Marlowe, Corn Elder and Amani Oruwariye provide depth. Ifeatu Melifonwu (rookie from Syracuse) will also look to contribute this season. The Lions gave up a league high 517 points a year ago (32.4 PPG) and also finished last overall, allowing 420 yards per game (135 rushing and 285 passing). In addition, Detroit only picked off seven passes and managed 24 quarterback sacks in the 2020 season.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - A new Head Coach in Dan Campbell and new QB Jared Goff headline the Lions as the 2021 season approaches. After twelve seasons with Matthew Stafford (traded to the L.A. Rams for Goff), the Lions will see what Goff and company can do to improve the 20th ranked offense in the NFL last season. Detroit averaged 350 YPG while scoring 23.6 points per game, which was also 20th in the NFL. The running game was woeful, gaining only 94 YPG and this year Swift will look to stay healthy and make progress in his second season to help improve that area. 

Defense will be the key though for the Lions this season because they cannot be any worse than they were a year ago, can they? The Lions gave up 30 or more points in their final six games last season and that must change if they want to be competitive in the NFC North. Making the playoffs this season looks to be a long shot as they haven't done so since 2016. Campbell has promised a commitment to detail and his enthusiasm has been unbridled to this point. If that can remain so, perhaps the Lions will be headed in the right direction. For now, a 7-10 record would be an improvement from last season, but that is about as good as it will probably be this year.

2021 SCHEDULE

Week 1 - vs. San Francisco 

Week 2 - at Green Bay 

Week 3 - vs. Baltimore 

Week 4 - at Chicago 

Week 5 - at Minnesota 

Week 6 - vs. Cincinnati  

Week 7 - at L.A. Rams 

Week 8 - vs. Philadelphia 

Week 9 - BYE 

Week 10 - at Pittsburgh 

Week 11- at Cleveland 

Week 12 - vs. Chicago 

Week 13 - vs. Minnesota 

Week 14 - at Denver

Week 15 - vs. Arizona 

Week 16 - at Atlanta 

Week 17 - at Seattle 

Week 18 - vs. Green Bay