What if Matt Patricia’s magic does work on the defense?

However, if the Lions offense which continues to be under the watch of offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, is able to maintain their aerial excellence and simply be effective at running the ball, then Stafford and the Lions will put a lot of points on the scoreboard and be one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.

Much less if the running game is actually pretty good.

This is what Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia are wagering on. A team that will ring up points and be very tough for opposing defenses to stop.

But what if the Lions defense is actually pretty good too?

That would be the other thing Quinn and Patricia are banking on. Despite having question marks in the front seven, their belief is that Patricia will find a way to make this defense work and allow them to be competitive.

So if the Lions ground game and offensive line play have improved to a reasonable level and the Lions are able to add a surprisingly stingy defense into the mix, what would happen? Under those circumstances, would it be reasonable to believe they have a shot at winning the NFC North?

While neither Quinn nor Patricia will say it, they believe it. When Quinn sent former head coach Jim Caldwell packing after last season, he said that 9-7 wasn’t good enough, which means that he is expecting the Lions to do better.

In what could be the most competitive division in the entire NFL, that’s asking a lot. But defense does win championships.

Bearing that in mind, if Matt Patricia does work his defensive magic, then these Lions should be right in the thick of the division race. A potent offense combined with a stingy defense is a recipe for a contender.

Now the real question is; will Patricia succeed with this defense?

There are certainly question marks that do cause concern, but what if he does find some magic in that bushy beard? What if this defensive whisperer does indeed conjure up a reasonably imposing defensive unit?

Then chase will indeed be on.