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Detroit Lions: ESPN analysts aren’t the only doubters

By Michael Kirkland

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Stephen A. Smith hosts SiriusXM Show from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania November 11, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bill McCay/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Stephen A. Smith hosts SiriusXM Show from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania November 11, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bill McCay/Getty Images for SiriusXM) /
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Abdullah breaks through the line
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions dodges a tackle from Haason Reddick #43 of the Arizona Cardinals in the first half at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Three more things that we need to see

I loved the second half, but was frustrated during the first half because it looked like we should have been winning by a good margin. Obviously, we weren’t. Here are three things that I need to see to prove that the Lions are contenders.

  1. Is there any list like this that doesn’t have “run game” near, or at, the top?  The running game is probably a work-in-progress. We earned a couple first downs, but we have to continue to get better here to beat good teams. Good teams run the ball well.
    I still have Dalvin Cook envy, though. Sorry, Ameer Abdullah.
  2. Capitalize on turnovers. Yes, we brought one back, but we need to make teams pay for turning it over more frequently. Arizona turned the ball over four times.
    A big key to winning is the turnover battle. Detroit was horrible last year at taking the ball from other teams.
  3. Find some ways to start faster. We can all do without the suspense of you waiting until the fourth quarter to start winning. Try looking like a playoff team for a full game. This category also includes no big mistakes, like turnovers by us.

Next: Detroit Lions - Gameplan for beating the New York Giants

If you want to start winning, you have to stop losing.

At least that’s what I learned from John Madden. What do the Lions need to do to prove to you that they are contenders this year? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading!

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