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Are the Detroit Lions only treading water in the NFC North?

By Payne Schanski

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Marvin Jones Jr. #11 of the Detroit Lions and Terence Newman #23 of the Minnesota Vikings talk after an NFL game at Ford Field on November 23, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. The Vikings defeated the Lions 30-23. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Marvin Jones Jr. #11 of the Detroit Lions and Terence Newman #23 of the Minnesota Vikings talk after an NFL game at Ford Field on November 23, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. The Vikings defeated the Lions 30-23. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Darius Slay #23 of the Detroit Lions reacts to a fourth quarter pass breakup while playing the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Darius Slay #23 of the Detroit Lions reacts to a fourth quarter pass breakup while playing the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2018 Outlook

The early odds from Vegas place both the Vikings and Packers among the top 5 contenders to win Super Bowl LII. The Vikings are currently at 10/1 and the Packers are 12/1. The Lions are down in the bottom half at 50/1 odds.

The general consensus is that the Vikings made the strongest off-season moves within the division, and possibly in the whole league. Adding Kirk Cousins (although I think he’ll only be the 3rd best QB in the division) and Sheldon Richardson to a team that nearly made the Super Bowl last year makes the Vikings a tough matchup for anyone in 2018.

In Green Bay, the general line of thought seems to be that Aaron Rodgers alone makes them an automatic threat. Despite losing Jordy Nelson and annoying Rodgers by firing his QB coach, the Packers are still thought to jump right back into contention after a lost season in 2017. The Packers missed the playoffs and barely made free agency moves, yet are still among the NFC favorites.

This leaves Detroit in a frustrating but familiar position. Even with Matthew Stafford entering his prime. Even with Matt Patricia and the new regime. Despite going 5-1 (3-0 on the road) against the North in 2017, they’re still only seen as the 3rd best team in a loaded division.

Next: Lions 2018 NFL Draft 7-Round Mock 4.0

Rather than climbing the ladder or taking the next step, many feel that for the moment, the Lions are merely treading water in the NFC North.

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