What's the age-old saying?
Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships?
That's something that the Detroit Lions have to hope holds weight headed into 2026. We know how incredible their offense can be when it's firing on all cylinders, and hopefully with an improved offensive line compared to 2025, their offense will be running with even more confidence.
Of course, their defense is under a bigger microscope. If they perform well, it could make them legitimate Super Bowl contenders once again. If they continue to stumble due to a thin lineup in their secondary, then serious questions might need to be asked about Detroit's inability to rebuild their cornerback or safety room despite so many injuries hampering them consistently.
That's what makes The Athletic's Colton Pouncy's latest bold prediction for the Lions headed into 2026 so big: he believes defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who went down with a torn ACL in 2024, will have a Pro Bowl season. That kind of production out of McNeill would almost guarantee an NFC North title for Detroit.
Bold prediction would make Lions the clear NFC North favorites in 2026
Pouncy wrote that McNeill was already producing at a Pro Bowl level prior to his injury late in 2024, and 2025 was a "get right" season for the tackle. The expectations for his real return are raised now:
"McNeill returned in October 2025, but admitted he was overthinking on the field and regaining trust in his knee. It wasn’t the best version of himself. But now, McNeill believes he’s past the injury. Dan Campbell has raved about him, and offensive linemen say they can tell he’s looking himself again. If that’s the case, McNeill could finally be ready to reclaim his status as one of the league’s best young defensive tackles."
Having a lethal defensive front could help to mitigate some damage that their defense might take in their secondary, although the Lions have to be careful not to rely too much on their pass rush and run defense to save the day.
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Over-usage is why the team had to find Aidan Hutchinson a ton of help this offseason, and they have to have some trust in their secondary to clean things up when their D-line can't get to the quarterback.
Still, imagining McNeill getting back to his production from 2023 and 2024 - 8.5 sacks, 57 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and two passes defended combined over those two seasons - would mean that Detroit's defensive line is getting quite the boost next to Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, Derrick Moore, and Tyleik Williams.
The defensive sack record is 72, by the Chicago Bears in 1984. Could the Lions rival that if fully healthy for the season? We can't discount the possibility.
Defense absolutely wins championships, and can help provide some game-wrecking moments in the postseason. If McNeill is really back to his 2024 self, we should expect the Lions to storm their 2026 schedule and take a firm grasp of the NFC North title.
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