AP Pro32 Comments About Lions

NEW YORK (AP) — Comments on the Detroit Lions by the AP Pro32 panel (ranking in parentheses):

DETROIT LIONS (11, TIE)

Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News, 7): Lions should have running game to complement passing of Matthew Stafford with return from injuries of Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure.

Bob Glauber (Newsday, 7): More away from the field offseason woes for Lions, but Jim Schwartz believes he has team that's ready to compete with Green Bay as NFC North's top dog.

Chris Berman (ESPN, 8): Lions learned how to win — can they do it when everyone's looking?

Clifton Brown (Sporting News, 9): Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson give Lions firepower to score on anyone. Should return to playoffs.

Dan Pompei (Chicago Tribune, 10): This is one of most talented teams in the NFL, and if Lions can play well together they can dominate.

Alex Marvez (Foxsports.com, 10): Offseason drama aside, Lions are talented bunch with quarterback (Matthew Stafford) just beginning to come into his own.

Pat Kirwan (SiriusXM NFL Radio/CBSSports.com, 12): Offseason was nothing to write home about but this is very physical team with QB moving toward elite status.

Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune, 12): Spent much of the offseason filling police blotters.

John Lynch (Fox Sports, 13): Extremely talented roster led by Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, but defensive play needs to live up to hype to become serious contender.

Cris Collinsworth (NBC Sports, 16): Great young talent. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson hard to stop.

Clark Judge (CBSSports.com, 16): Bears move up, Lions move down in NFC North.

Rich Gannon (CBS Sports/SiriusXM NFL Radio, 19): Tumultuous offseason and concerns at RB make me believe it's a 9-7 type year.

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