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How the Detroit Lions can win the NFC North

By Russell S. Baxter

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 16: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions instructs teammates from the line during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 16, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 16: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions instructs teammates from the line during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 16, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 22: Darius Slay #23 of the Detroit Lions and Jarrad Davis #40 of the Detroit Lions celebrate a sack of quarterback Chase Daniel #4 of the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 22, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 22: Darius Slay #23 of the Detroit Lions and Jarrad Davis #40 of the Detroit Lions celebrate a sack of quarterback Chase Daniel #4 of the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 22, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

2. Regain that opportunistic touch on defense

With defensive-minded Matt Patricia taking over for Jim Caldwell as head coach, there were certainly high expectations for this team this past season when it came to his side of the football. And in terms of the final numbers in one regard, the Detroit Lions finished 2018 at No. 10 in the league when it came to total yards and rushing yards allowed per game. And only seven teams in the NFL surrendered more yards per game through the air.

One year earlier, it was a different story. Detroit allowed the sixth-most total yards and passing yards in the league in 2017. The team was a mediocre 18th vs. the run. And it’s interesting to note that while there was a stark contrast in the numbers from one year to the next, the Lions actually allowed more offensive touchdowns in 2018 (40) than the previous season (39).

So what was the difference? In 2017, only the Baltimore Ravens (34) and Jacksonville Jaguars (33) finished with more takeaways than Detroit (32). But that number dropped dramatically this past season as Patricia’s team managed a mere 14 takeaways, split evenly between interceptions and fumble recoveries.

Can the Lions turn things around when it comes to coming up with the big play in terms of forcing their opponents into mistakes? It would certainly help the team’s cause in more ways than one.

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