2015 NFL Predictions: NFC North Preview

Oct 12, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens nose tackle

(92) sits on the bench in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions: 

Key Arrivals: DT Tyrunn Walker, CB Josh Wilson, G Manny Ramirez, DT Haloti Ngata, RB Ameer Abdullah, G Laken Tomlinson

The Lions didn’t do much in free agency.They added Walker who will likely start, but that is mostly due to the lack of talented players at DT. Wilson is a bad player who won’t help the secondary at all. Adding Ramirez through a trade was a smart move and he should be able to help the line right aswell.

Tomlinson will also be fighting for a spot on the line as well, and no matter who starts the line will be better than last year. Adding Ngata was a huge move for the Lions, as the interior defensive line would have been atrocious without this move. While Ngata may be aging he still has a few good years in him. Abdullah is a talented running back who will look to work himself into the committee.

Key Losses: RB Reggie Bush, FB Jed Collins, DT Ndamukung Suh, DT Nick Fairley 

When Bush was on the field he still showed decent ability, but he wasn’t on the field very often this last year and he won’t be missed much in Detroit and Theo Riddick is a good replacement. Collins was a versatile guy who could play fullback and TE and was simply a nice player to have.

Losing Suh is obviously a big blow the Lions defense, but he simply wasn’t worth the money that they would have had to pay. Fairley had his injury issues as well, but I am surprised the Lions did not bring him back, especially if you look at the cheap price the Rams paid. With Suh and Fairley, the Lions lost one great and one good DT for which Ngata and especially Walker simply can’t make up for.

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver

(81) catches a pass ahead of the defense by ]d38 during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Verdict: 

Though much didn’t change for the Lions, I think through the loss of Suh and Fairley they did get worse this offseason. To me Stafford is still overrated and a big reason he has good production is because of “Megatron” and now also Golden Tate. That combination may be the best in the NFL.

After that his options are limited, though Riddick is very dangerous out of the backfield. With Bell, Riddick and Abdullah, they do have a good group of running backs. Their O-line is decent, but not any better than that, though the additions should help. I think Stafford needs to step up for this offense to have big success.

On defense, the front seven simply won’t be as good without Suh. Ngata is very good, but he isn’t Suh. Ansah improved in his second year and the Lions hope to see him improve even more.

At linebacker the projected starters are Tulloch, Levy and the young Van Noy. Tulloch and Levy are both good linebackers and Van Noy is a question mark as he wasn’t a big part of the defense last year. The secondary isn’t all that good. Slay had a very good year last year and should be able to build on it, but Mathis is getting older and simply isn’t that good. Their depth at CB behind Slay and Mathis is terrible. At safety, Quin and Ighedibo are above average completing a decent secondary.

Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback

(23) before the game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction: 

Best Case Record: 9-7

Worst Case Record: 5-11 

Prediction: 7-9

Team’s Offensive MVP: WR Calvin Johnson Jr. 

Team’s Defensive MVP: CB Darius Slay

Rookie Standout: RB Ameer Abdullah 

After a great year, the Detroit Lions are going to fall back into their losing ways. The defense lost some talent and the schedule is extremely difficult this year. The way they can reach their best case scenario is if Matt Stafford can exceed expectations and their defense can still be somewhat dominant. Then they could go 3-3 in division and then go 6-4 against the two West divisions, Philly and New Orleans. Worst case scenario is that they simply can’t beat very many good teams and get most of their wins against Chicago, Oakland and other bad teams.

Next: Vikings or the Pack?