Has Matthew Stafford become the top gun in the NFC North?
By Robert Jones
Matthew Stafford has put up some big numbers in his career, but has he finally become the NFC North’s top gun?
The Detroit Lions are optimistic about the 2020 season. They feel like they have added enough pieces to give themselves a chance to be competitive.
That is a speculative thought process. Some of the Honolulu Blue and Silver fans are wildly excited about the Lions chances this fall. Others think there is more work to be done.
Regardless of which camp you fall into, the fact is that no NFL team is perfect. The defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will enter the new season with their high octane offense ready to make a run at repeating. However, they could still be better defensively.
The San Francisco 49ers were last year’s runners up and will return with an outstanding defense that will make a valiant attempt to win it all this fall. But their offense, while pretty good, will need to improve more.
Such is the way of professional sports. The perfect team does not exist. Even the New England Patriots will feel some growing pains this fall with Tom Brady now in Tampa Bay.
So while the Lions are not perfect, they are not alone. But there is still the question about whether they have improved enough to be legitimately competitive next season.
The defense lost Darius Slay and while they made some acquisitions that do fit Matt Patricia’s defense, the questions about if they have enough collective talent or depth to take a much-needed step forward defensively, are valid.
Meanwhile, the offense has created optimism among many of the Lions loyal fans. The improved offensive line, more talent in the backfield, the return of one of the best receiving trio’s in the NFL, and a healthy Matthew Stafford has the Motor City buzzing.
Once again Matthew will be the key to the Lions’ hopes. Yet as we gaze ahead to the fall, one might start to wonder if Matthew is more than just that. Is it possible that maybe Matthew has finally become the NFC North’s top gun?