After making their first NFC Championship game in 30 years, the Detroit Lions are ready to make a push for a Super Bowl. And they have some intriguing talent to do so. Welcome back to another edition of ‘The Super Bowl Race In The Perspective of Chase’, and today we will preview the Detroit Lions 2024 season!
2023 Season
The Lions were one of the hottest teams in the NFL in the second half of the 2022 season. So going into the 2023 season, and after adding some new pieces on both sides of the ball, the Lions were ready to make the postseason and win their first postseason game in three decades. And that’s exactly what they did. They picked up a huge win over Kansas City on opening night of the season, and then kept it going. They had some low moments, with bad losses to Baltimore & Green Bay in the middle of the season. But overall, they stayed a contender. Jared Goff was great in the pocket, Amon-Ra St. Brown turned into an elite-level receiver, they stayed great in the front seven and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs shined. They picked up postseason wins against the Rams and Buccaneers, but fell short to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game after leading by 17 at one point. So they fell short, but the future was looking bright for Detroit.
Offseason Additions and Losses
The Lions had a very quiet offseason. They made sure to retain the pieces they had, extending Jared Goff. But mainly, it was smaller moves. The only main move they made was to sign Kevin Zeitler to a one year deal, and he is one of the best guards in football after a few great seasons with Baltimore. This now gives Detroit one of the best offensive lines in the league. They also signed D.J. Reader on the defensive line, but let go Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. They did prioritize improving the secondary in the draft, though, taking Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw with their first two picks. Overall, a quiet yet important offseason for the Lions, who fixed a few of the wholes they had in 2023.
X-Factor: Jameson Williams
Going into his third season, many people have high expectations for Jameson Williams. Out of Alabama, the former first round draft selection has possessed incredible speed and elusiveness, making him a dangerous deep-threat on this offense. But that’s where it’s ended. He couldn’t manage to put together anything in the six games he was able to play in his rookie season, and didn’t couldn’t put together more than 30 yards per game in his twelve games last season. He just has been inconsistent and injured; not an amazing combination. But again, Williams has the talent and potential to be a star receiver. He just has to be consistent. And if he can, it can add a whole other element to this Lions offense.
Reason for Concern: Dan Campbell Takes Risks
This is the thing that makes, and also breaks, the Lions is that they take risks. Dan Campbell has done an incredible job at taking the Lions from irrelevance to one of the best era’s in their franchise’s history in just a few seasons. That’s because he’s not afraid to be different, and take risks. But it runs it course. The Lions passed up on many easier field goals in the NFC Championship game, and instead went for fourth down conversions that turned out to be unsuccessful. Those helped the 49ers come back and go to the Super Bowl. So it cuts both ways. I think the Lions are a good enough team to where those risks aren’t necessary throughout the season. However, Campbell will take them, and they can easily backfire like they did last year.
Reason for Promise: Offensive Talent
The Lions have some talent on defense. But what makes this team’s identity, and what makes them exciting, is their offensive talent. That all starts with Goff at quarterback. He is not a superstar, but he is an incredible game manager who elevates his teammates. Part of the success from everyone else on this offense is because of Goff. St. Brown is an Offensive Player of the Year type-player, with incredible hands and cutting. Gibbs has already cemented himself one of the league’s best running backs, and David Montgomery and Williams are both amazing pieces. Add on an incredible offensive line, and it’s not surprising that the Lions have one of the best offense’s in the National Football League.
Prediction
It sounds bold, but I think the Lions make the Super Bowl or something close to it. They have incredible talent on both sides of the ball, and are generally well-coached. I expect major things from Detroit in 2024.
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