NFL legend believes Detroit Lions could still make playoff push
This NFL legend still believes the Detroit Lions can save their season and make a late playoff push. Based on what you’ve seen, do you agree?
The Detroit Lions started their season on the lowest of notes. In their home opener, and with a rookie head coach in Matt Patricia making his Motor City debut, the Lions were blown out at Ford Field on Monday Night Football to the tune of 48-17 by the now-struggling 1-2 New York Jets.
After a week full of some well-deserved criticism, the Lions bounced back somewhat in Week Two against the San Francisco 49ers. Yet, Detroit still lost that road game and remain winless. And much of their struggles are being blamed on Patricia and his complex defensive scheme that the coaching staff is still trying to implement.
Detroit’s next three games are versus the New England Patriots, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Green Bay Packers prior to their Week Six bye. There is a real chance the Lions start their season 0-5. Yet, one longtime veteran of the NFL still believes Detroit can turn things around.
Here’s what NFL.com’s Gil Brandt, a league legend now working as a senior analyst, had to say about the Lions starting to turn the corner when it comes to the new scheme.
"“We had to go through six quarters of mistake-filled football first, but the Lions showed signs of life in the second half of their loss to the 49ers. Rather than trying to freelance and make plays, Detroit’s defenders — who were loosely coached before — seem to finally be responding to Patricia’s scheme … To me, this group is still capable of making a potential playoff push … “"
For 29 years, Brandt was the vice president of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys (1960-1988) and is viewed by many as the originator of many of today’s modern scouting techniques. The 85-year old was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame just last month.
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Despite Gil Brandt’s overly-qualified endorsement, it’s hard to imagine the Detroit Lions being able to secure a playoff berth if they start their season 0-5. The Lions are going to have to steal a game or two before their bye week in order to better position themselves for that kind of success. If they are unable to do at least that, their more likely to secure the number one pick in the 2019 NFL Draft than make the postseason.