6 reasons why the Lions will make the playoffs in 2020

Another season under Darrell Bevell

This year will be like none other in NFL history. And that’s due to the impact of a worldwide pandemic.

The offseason training program was shifted to be entirely virtual, with players studying and working out from home. The entire preseason was canceled, meaning teams will not play a single opponent until Week One of the regular season.

Finally, training camp has been stunted with the Lions really only starting full practices on Monday, a mere 28 days before the start of the regular season.

With all that being considered, chemistry and experience will be more valued than ever. Teams who are trying to install new schemes and new coordinators are at a severe disadvantage.

Luckily for the Lions, this will be the second season under Darrell Bevell’s offensive scheme. And after the potential we saw from this unit in 2019, you have to believe the offense will hit the ground running this year.

Although there are certainly concerns about changes along the offensive line, the players at the skill positions are all exactly the same with the addition of rookie running back D’Andre Swift. And traditionally, running backs have the easiest transition from college to the NFL.

Under Bevell, we expected even more from quarterback Matthew Stafford and his trio of veteran receivers in Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay, and Danny Amendola. That consistency and chemistry should be evident early and give the Lions a distinct edge.