Are the 2018 Detroit Lions pretenders or contenders?

Detroit Lions (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /

Why They Are Pretenders

Loaded NFC North

The Lions are playing well, but the fact remains they are in one of the toughest divisions in football.

The Chicago Bears’ defense will continue to be a problem for opposing teams, and quarterback Mitch Trubisky appears to be taking a step forward in his development. The Minnesota Vikings and Packers are vulnerable through the early part of the season, but each are formidable contenders.

Porous Defense

The bye week may give the Lions a chance to shore up some problems up front, particularly with stopping the run, but I will believe it when I see it.

The team is limited with it’s current personnel, and even when Ezekiel Ansah returns to action, there is no savior walking through that door for the Lions. This unit is thin and proven to be vulnerable.

Although the team has managed to find a bit of a pass-rush over the last few weeks, opponents have run for 729 yards in five games. It will be difficult to win consistently if the Lions continue to yield 138 rushing yards per game and more than five yards per carry.

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Big runs extend drives, wear down an already-vulnerable defensive front, slow down the pass rush, and force the team to commit more defenders in the box. If the Detroit Lions cannot win up front and control the line of scrimmage, they will find it difficult to win at all and may lose control of their season in the process.