The Detroit Lions are preparing to kick start their postseason run, and the debate is already underway about where they stack up as the NFC's No. 1 seed.
Even though the Lions have never made the Super Bowl and are a year removed from winning their first playoff game in 32 years, many believe they are primed for a bigger run this season. Offensively, the Lions have arguably the strongest team in the league which is a key reason for their success.
On Monday's episode of "SPEAK" on FS1, co-host and former Super Bowl champion Michael Irvin didn't hesitate to say the Lions are the most dangerous team in the NFL on the heels of their strong Week 18 victory.
"When we say scary, I think about how many different ways you can beat me and they can beat you so many different ways. No matter what you take away, they find a way to beat you. (Jared Goff) had five interceptions, they still won the game. He throws five touchdowns, they win the game. He has an OK game (against Minnesota), third-worst passer rating at 80.7, they still win the game. It doesn't matter what you try to do. We talked about how many people they lost on defense, they still find people and make plays and Aaron Glenn's doing a wonderful job. It proves what I've always said. I don't think defense win championships, points win championships. This team scores the most points in the NFL right now. If you take one thing away, they'll beat you with another. That means they're the most dangerous and the most scariest to me. I call them efficienty explosive."
As a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Dallas Cowboys, and having starred in a Cowboys offense that was similarly diverse to what the Lions have now. Irvin is qualified to speak on what makes a team scary at this time of the year.
Michael Irvin explains key difference between Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs
Naturally, the assertion that the Lions are the scariest team in the league raised a few eyebrows. Irvin's co-hosts looked at the Kansas City Chiefs as fitting that label, because they are defending champions and have Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Irvin noted how the Lions have the kind d diversity that keeps pressure off any one player.
"We don't scheme Patrick Mahomes out, but I'm just saying, if he just has a little bit of an off day, everything changes for the Kansas City Chiefs and he doesn't, I understand. (But) you can have off days in this (Detroit) offense. They got so many ways to attack you that you're still coming. That's the point I'm making that makes them scary."
The Lions have depth of playmakers beyond the quarterback. Though ravaged by injury, their defense is finding ways to win. According to Irvin, all of that adds up to the Lions being the scariest team in the NFL as the playoffs begin.