Detroit Lions: Will another 9-7 season be enough?
If the Detroit Lions post a 9-7 regular season record for the third year in a row, will it be enough to justify all the changes the team made this offseason?
On paper, the Detroit Lions should be a much-improved team in 2018. Gone are head coach Jim Caldwell and much of the coaching staff that led the Motor City to three winning seasons in the past four years. Absent too are All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and linebacker Tahir Whitehead, staples of this Lions defense during that run.
Remaining is quarterback Matthew Stafford, his impressive receiver corps, and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. Combined, this group has vaulted Detroit’s passing game to one of the best in the NFL.
Added to this team was former New England Patriots defensive mastermind and literal rocket scientist Matt Patricia, who became the Lions need head coach this offseason. Patricia brought with him a dynamic playbook along with a new staff who could implement his changes.
The draft saw Motown add yet another first-round talent to their offensive line. This time Arkansas center Frank Ragnow, who is expected to lock down the left guard position for the Lions. His presence along with Graham Glasgow at center is expected to solidify this once-shaky O-Line.
The additions of veteran LeGarrette Blount and rookie Kerryon Johnson are expected to vastly improve the Lions poor rushing attack, especially in short-yardage situations.
Defensively, elite pass rusher Ziggy Ansah returns under the franchise tag. He’s joined on that side of the ball by newly-minted Pro Bowler Darius Slay at cornerback, veteran safety Glover Quin and last year’s top pick, linebacker Jarrad Davis. These four form a core of talented defenders Patricia is expected to make even better.
All of the above sounds great. And should make for an entertaining season in the Motor City. But will it actually result in more wins?
According to NFL.com Columnist Adam Schein, he believes the Lions will still post a disappointing 8-8 record or possibly even another 9-7 season in 2018.
"“The Lions are a tough team to project. In theory, this group is much better than the 2017 version, starting with the coach. But every team in the division improved this offseason. And the NFC is jammed. Eight or nine wins.”"
Parting ways with Caldwell and many of his coaches only to post a 9-7 record for the third year in a row sounds like a major disappointment for the Lions. Especially considering the drastic regime change. Yet, Detroit was still able to earn themselves a Wild Card bid in the playoffs posting the same record in 2016. And winning in the postseason is exactly what Patricia was brought to Motown to do.
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Make no mistake. It is postseason or bust for general manager Bob Quinn and “his” head coach, Matt Patricia. And the Detroit Lions are certainly a better team on paper. But so is the entire NFC North. The Lions must get to the playoffs. If an 8-8 or 9-7 record can get them there, then that’s all that matters.