Detroit Lions: Pretenders or have they become contenders?

Outscoring opponents means forget the defense, the offense will win the game. Stopping opponents means keeping their score low and relying on the offense being able to score at least the minimum to win.

If Lions fans are looking for a silver-lining on defense, then here it is; Matt Patricia’s defenses in New England usually weren’t filled with all-stars. This means that the Lions defense shouldn’t be a complete shock to his system.

This is where their ability to compete will be challenged. Can the defense be effective to good under his guidance? Plain and simple, there is no way they can compete without being able to play at least effective defense. Or in other words, at least limit opponents scoring even if they have difficulties stopping drives.

Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia are attempting to change Detroit Lions football as we know it, which quite frankly isn’t a bad thing. The real question is simply whether they have added enough talent and can get the most out of that talent to do so.

Fans should be excited about what they have done offensively. There is every reason to feel good about the moves they have made. Which leads us to the defense…

This will be the key; is Matt Patricia a good enough coach and communicator to raise the level of this defense? The multiple front defenses they will play to match up against opponents has proven its worth in New England. That isn’t the question.

It’s all about if he can do the same for all the Lions current defenders as he did with Kyle Van Noy when Detroit traded him to the Patriots for a bag of doughnuts. If he can turn on the lights for this group like he did Van Noy, things could get pretty exciting pretty fast.

Next: Where are the Lions at the running back position?

But since nothing can be taken for granted, we need to be willing to keep our eyes open and not be blinded by love. Good is good and failure is failure. Only time will tell.

Don’t be afraid to use the bifocals if you need to.