2011 Detroit Lions Predictions
The Detroit Lions have made steady improvement since going 0-16 in 2008. They followed up their 2009 2-14 season with a 6-10 campaign last year. There is reason to believe more wins are coming in 2011.
Six of Detroit’s 10 losses in 2010 came by five points or less. Three of those close defeats came to the Bears (twice) and the Packers – the division champions and the Super Bowl champions. It appears Detroit is getting closer to ending its 11-year playoff drought.
Offense: The Lions ranked 15th in the NFL in scoring last season with 22.6 points per game. They ranked 17th in total offense with 338.9 yards per contest.
Detroit ranked 12th in the league in passing offense with 238.1 yards per game despite starting quarterback Matthew Stafford playing in just three games. The former No. 1 overall pick has missed more games with injuries (19) than he’s played (13).
Backup Shaun Hill did a great job with Stafford on the shelf, completing nearly 62.0 percent of his passes for 2,686 yards with 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Hill developed some nice chemistry with wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who caught 77 passes for 1,120 yards and 12 scores. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew also came up big with 71 grabs for 722 yards and four touchdowns.
A running game that ranked 23rd in the NFL with 100.8 yards per game has plenty of room for improvement, but it did take a step in the right direction. Jahvid Best rushed for 555 yards and four touchdowns despite dealing with a nasty turf toe injury. He also proved to be a valuable receiver, catching 58 passes for 487 yards and two scores.
The running game looked like it would continue its progress with former Illinois standout Mikel Leshoure joining the roster. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when he tore his Achilles.
The offensive line should be better in 2011 if it can stay healthy. Health is currently a problem as left tackle Jeff Backus is dealing with a partially torn chest muscle and right tackle Gosder Cherilus continues to recover from microfracture knee surgery.
Defense: Detroit’s stop unit ranked 19th in the NFL in scoring defense last season with 23.1 points allowed per game. It finished 21st in total defense with 343.6 yards allowed per contest.
The decision to draft man-child Ndamukong Suh, who took home Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, paid off big time. The All-Pro, who led the team with 10 sacks, helped the Lions rank sixth in the league with 44.0 sacks.
The Lions continued to build up front by adding Nick Fairley with the 13th pick in the draft.
The second layer of the defense is less settled. Middle linebacker DeAndre Levy is a player, but the Lions could stand to upgrade the outside backer spots.
The secondary still has some work to do as well, but it did receive a boost from rookie Amari Spievey last year. Louis Delmas was very dependable in 2010 despite playing through a nagging groin injury.
Prediction: 3rd Place NFC North – Detroit is getting closer, but I believe it is still a year away from seriously contending for a division title. The Packers are clearly the best team in the division, and the Lions haven’t defeated the Bears in three years. NFL odds makers have listed the Lions at +500 to win the NFC North.
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