Lions Season Prediction
By: Dennis Fithian
You would like to think there would be a natural progression in the NFL for any team with young stars like the Detroit Lions. Last year, the Lions busted through and made the playoffs for the first time since 1999 with a 10-6 record. My initial reaction was to put this team back in the post season and have them win a game in the playoffs. Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson are the best duo in the NFL. Ndamukong Suh, along with almost the entire defensive line disappointed a season ago. Not a big reach to project the defensive line to perform much better this year and Stafford is looking like the elite QB. Then came the draft, a long offseason, training camp and then the preseason. The Lions didn't select a player in the draft that would likely help them this year until the third round when they went with corner Bill Bentley. The off season was highlighted by arrests, including former number one pick Nick Fairley. Then, running back Jahvid Best went on the PUP list. Overall, the Lions defense without Louis Delmas and not enough dominating play upfront looked much like the defense late last year against Green Bay and in the playoffs verses New Orleans. This is not a bad team, but getting back to the playoffs will be more difficult than getting there for the first time in over a decade.
Detroit Lions season prediction: 9-7
