Will the Detroit Lions offense have the defense ready?
By Robert Jones
The offense seems ready, is the defense?
How will the defense perform? We really won’t know for sure until the season opens, but we do know this; they must be much better than last season to have a chance.
The defensive questions are offset by the ‘offensive optimism’ the fans and even the media are feeling. Lately, the Lions have started to become a trendy pick nationally to actually make noise and possibly win the NFC North.
A bold thought by some, especially considering that this would be the first time the Lions have ever won the NFC North if they accomplished that goal.
The last time the Lions were divisional champions was back in 1993. That was back in the old NFC Central days. In 2002 the NFL did some re-alignment and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were shipped off to the NFC South.
The Lions along with the Packers, Bears, and Vikings remained together to form the NFC North. In the 18 years since every team in the division has won the NFC North at least four times except the Lions who are still awaiting their first divisional title in the NFC North era.
Will 2020 finally be their year?
It would seem that the Lions may finally have an offense that opponents will have to fear. Between the return of a healthy Matthew Stafford who excelled in this offense last season and a deeper more talented backfield, combined with one of the best receiving trios in the league and talented second-year tight end T.J. Hockenson, they could be quite good.
However, there are question marks on the offensive line. Especially at guard. The big boys in the trenches will have to be pretty good themselves in order to truly unlock this offense. We once again won’t truly know the answer until opening day, but if this line can perform, then the fans should be excited.
Yet even if everything pans out on offense, the defense still needs to be good enough to give the Lions a chance. Even in an NFL world where they promote offense and try to hamstring defenses, you don’t win championships without a good to great defense. Can the Lions possibly qualify?