By Vincent Khan
The Detroit Lions finished the 2022 regular season with a 9-8 record, and finished second place in their division for the first time since 2017. Now the 2022 Lions didn’t just finish 9-8, they started the year 1-6 and won 8 of their final 10 games and not only beat, but swept the Aaron Rodgers led Packers in the process.
There were some very low times in the 2022 getting blown out a few times, but the Lions made significant improvement over the off season and believe it or not they are favored to win the NFC North this year if not the Vikings. After a rough start to the Dan Campbell era, things are finally looking up in the motor city. I can see their wins and losses happening in the opposite way as last season with them going on a hot streak to start the season, but inevitably falling apart around late October. My prediction for this season is a record of 9-8…again.
The optimism for the Lions being great this 2023 season starts with their offense. Wide receiver Jameson Williams only played one game last season and is now suspended the first 6 games of the season this year for getting caught participating in sports gambling. Amon-Ra St. Brown, who had an outstanding season last year and is looking like the franchise wide receiver for the Lions for years to come replacing Calvin Johnson. Yes the team will miss Jamall Williams and the 17 touchdowns he ran for last season, but their new rookie running back Jahmir Gibbs and free agent pick up David Mountgomery, will do just fine behind the offense line which is ranked top five in the league. Second year tackle Penei Sewell anchors the o-line at right tackle and is definitely making due for a pro bowl season.
Their strong offensive line will only make the run game more efficient along with protecting their quarterback Jared Goff. Goff receives a lot of unnecessary hate from local fans and media which is understandable. From an eye test, he looks skinny and is not built like a football player, but Goff is in the top five of every major quarterback statistic. He can no doubt lead a team to a Superbowl for he has done it before with his previous team the Los Angeles Rams, but he seems to lack the “it” factor for this team even with his veteran presence.
This Lions team can score all day on offense. With an offense ranked seventh in the league according to Pro Football Focus, the only thing keeping the team back is their defense. The defense was ranked near the bottom of the league in nearly every single statistical category last season. With additions this offseason such as rookie linebacker Jack Campbell and veteran DB Cam Sutton, they seem to be heading in the right direction, but the unit as a whole may still be compared to swiss cheese as they lack an identity and chemistry. Listen to this, if their defense would’ve just held their opponents to under 30 points 4 more times last season, they would’ve finished the season 13-4 and made the playoffs.
The only bright spot on their defense is second year defensive end and hometown hero Aiden Hutchison who only got better and better as last season went on and could very well be the best player on the whole team.