NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Detroit Lions have a huge opportunity in the 2023 NFL season

By Russell S. Baxter

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

There appears to be plenty of talent and promise in the Motor City. Are the Detroit Lions on the verge of a long-awaited breakthrough season?

There has been plenty of misery when it comes to the franchise’s not-so-recent history. Yes, the Detroit Lions finished strong this past season and their 9-8 record marks the club’s first winning campaign since 2017.

However, there is plenty to consider when it comes to some dubious streaks. There has been no playoff win since 1991 and no division title since 1993. The Lions are one of four franchises, along with the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars, that have yet to appear in a Super Bowl. In fact, the team has not won an NFL Championship since 1957.

Lions are a team on the rise

Back to the present. You could make a strong case that late in the 2022 season, Dan Campbell’s club was playing the best football in the NFC North. The division-champion Minnesota Vikings had defensive issues throughout the year and those problems reared their ugly head in a home playoff loss to the Giants.

The Chicago Bears gave up the most points in the league and ended ’22 on a 10-game skid. The Lions disposed of the Green Bay Packers twice, defeating them in the final regular-season game of the NFL season and keeping them from reaching the playoffs. When the smoke cleared, Detroit owned the best record within the division (5-1).

Plenty of new and talented faces

It has been a solid offseason for a team that needed to address its defensive issues. No team in the league gave up more total yards per game than Campbell’s club and only two clubs gave up more passing yards per contest this past season.

The free-agent additions include cornerbacks Cameron Sutton (Steelers) and Emmanuel Moseley (49ers) and safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Eagles). As for the draft, linebacker Jack Campbell (1b-Iowa) and safety Brian Branch (2-Alabama) should aid a defense that gave up the fourth-most rushing yards in the NFL.

Thanks to a solid year from quarterback Jared Goff and under the guidance of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the Lions had very few problems scoring points in 2022. Even the offense got some more help in running back Jahmyr Gibbs (1-Alabama) and tight end Sam LaPorta (2-Iowa) via the draft, as well as veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr.’s return to the club after a two-year stint with the Jaguars.

The Vikings are revamping their defense, the Packers have a new starting quarterback (Jordan Love), and the Bears bring a 10-game losing streak into 2023. Campbell’s Lions bring a lot of momentum into a new year. Is this the season that it all comes together in a big way?

Home/Detroit Lions