Detroit Lions: Early success will be key to playoff chances
The Detroit Lions can’t afford to have a slow start this upcoming regular season like they did in 2017. If so, their playoff chances are in jeopardy.
Last season, the Detroit Lions had a rare opportunity to take advantage of a NFC North crippled by injuries. Specifically to starting quarterbacks like the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers and the Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Bradford.
Unfortunately, the Lions struggled early, losing four of their first seven games. And that slow start did them no favors as they failed to reach the postseason despite posting a winning record of 9-7.
This offseason, Detroit improved their team in many ways. They added former New England Patroits defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as their new head coach. His presence figures to improve on what was a mediocre defense last season.
The Lions also beefed up their offensive line and running back position. Detroit drafted Arkansas center Frank Ragnow and Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson with their first two picks in the 2018 NFL Draft respectively. They also signed veteran running back LeGarrette Blount via free agency.
All these additions figure to make the Lions a much improved team in 2018. Unfortunately, implementing these changes will take time. And Detroit could experience a bumpy transition trying to add so many new pieces at once.
That doesn’t bode well for the Lions first few games of the upcoming regular season. And according to one Detroit writer, that could dash their playoff hopes early.
"“In the NFL, the bye week can be a season-changing momentum swing. The Lions must have a winning record going into their Week 6 bye,” wrote George Stoia for the Detroit Free Press. “In the past 10 seasons, the Lions have had a winning record going into the bye four times. Three of those four times (2016, 2014, 2011), the Lions made the playoffs.”"
The Lions have a pretty tough slate of opponents to face in their first five games of the season prior to their Week Six bye. Those teams are the New York Jets (5-11), San Francisco 49ers (6-10), New England Patriots (13-3), Dallas Cowboys (9-7) and the Green Bay Packers (7-9). Only the Niners and the Cowboys contests are away games.
The opening season matchup against the Jets in Detroit seems like a very winnable matchup. Traveling to San Francisco to face a 49ers team that won five straight games with new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo under center to end last season is a pretty tough Week Two opponent.
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Then, facing the Patroits, the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium and the rival Packers in the final three games before the bye week could easily land Detroit with a losing record early. The Lions will need to make significant strides this offseason in order to pull off posting a winning record heading into their Week Six bye.