We should’ve expected this. After all, they did upset the Kansas City Chiefs in week one. They’re 8-1 since Week 14 of last season. Honestly, a 4-0 record this season wasn’t crazy to think about considering the overtime loss to the Seahawks. But, the Detroit Lions are here to run the North.
A Team We Can All Root For
No matter who your favorite team is, the Lions shouldn’t be a team to hate on. What have they done to crush your hearts? Detroit hasn’t won a Super Bowl in their franchise’s history. Even when they made the playoffs, they have failed to escape the Wild Card Round since 1991 when they made it to the conference championship. The days of heartbreak could be over starting this year, because this is a different team.
A Coach We All Love (Even If He Will Break Out Kneecaps)
In January 2021, the Lions hired Dan Campbell to be their new head coach. A former tight ends coach with the New Orleans Saints, he was brought in to create a new identity and culture. We saw it firsthand, remember?
“We’re gonna kick you in the teeth, and when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you. And when you knock us down, we’re gonna get up. And on the way up, we’re going to bite a kneecap off.”
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 21, 2021
New @Lions HC Dan Campbell had quite the introductory press conference ? pic.twitter.com/cWJTSFtJAQ
Like seriously, when have we ever seen a head coach say something like this in their opening press conference? But, he meant it. This team played with a chip on their shoulder, even if the 0-10-1 record to start 2021 didn’t say so.
Campbell made sure his team played hard every single week, and of course his first win as a head coach was in dramatic fashion.
Dan Campbell's reaction to his first win as @Lions head coach ?pic.twitter.com/Cn66a7t73W
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 5, 2021
Nothing like an overtime win against a divisional rival. But, it was what happened postgame that stood out to many.
Dan Campbell dedicated the Lions’ game ball from their first win to the Oxford community. pic.twitter.com/B3PqcM4jNW
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 5, 2021
An amazing and thoughtful gesture by Campbell, indeed.
2022 was a different story, as they didn’t have to wait until week 13 for the first win of the season. A week two win against the Commanders was a great start, but adversity began when they stood at 4-7 through 12 weeks.
Once again, Campbell helped his team push through adversity, and the Lions finished 5-1 to finish the season. Of course, they prevented the Green Bay Packers from making the playoffs by beating them in week 18.
The culture has changed, and it’s thanks to the biting kneecapping Dan Campbell.
It’s Not Just Him
Let’s talk about the people around Campbell, shall we? Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson changed this offense after being tasked with calling plays in 2021. Keep in mind, this was done after they started 0-8 on the year. Before that, he was the team’s tight ends coach.
Though the team finished as a below-average offense that year, they rose to being the fourth-best offense in 2022 (averaging 380 yards per game and 26.6 points per game). So far this year, they’re averaging 386.6 yards per game (fifth-best) and 26.5 points per game (eighth-best). Not too shabby, at all.
How about this defense? Aaron Glenn has been the defensive coordinator for the Lions since 2021, and even with the defense being among the worst in 2022, things have changed this year. After allowing 25.1 points per game last year (third-worst) and 392.4 yards per game (worst), they’ve allowed 20.8 (14th) and 280.5 (fifth-best) in those two categories respectively. Not a bad turnaround, indeed.
Of Course, The Players
Let’s give credit to these players too. Quarterback Jared Goff has turned his career around since joining the Lions via trade with the Rams. He threw 29 touchdowns in 2022, which was the most since his 32 in 2018. His 4,438 passing yards last year were good for sixth-best in the league, more than guys like Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, and Jalen Hurts to name a few.
So far, Goff has ranked in the top five in passing yards and top ten in passing touchdowns. He has kept his interceptions to a low (despite throwing one in three straight games now).
Oooh: Jared Goff called Ryan Fitzpatrick out for an earlier comment saying Goff is a “poor man’s Matt Ryan”
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 29, 2023
Jared Goff hears the noise…
Richard Sherman and the other TNF announcers started laughing ?pic.twitter.com/9c6lvrqcpz
The running game has changed too. Gone are the days of D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. Enter David Montgomery (three touchdowns vs. Green Bay on Thursday) and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (2023 first-rounder). Both have made solid contributions. After all, we just saw Detroit rush for 221 yards against the Packers. Though many have called for Gibbs to get more carries, Montgomery has been great for Detroit since his arrival from Chicago (a touchdown in each game played).
Of course, the receiving weapons. Amon-Ra St. Brown established himself as one of the league’s best wide receivers last year (106 receptions, 1161 yards, six touchdowns in 2022) while becoming Jared Goff’s favorite target. This year is no different, leading the team with 26 catches for 331 yards and two touchdowns.
Though the rest of the wide receiver group isn’t the best, first-round tight end Sam LaPorta has shined. The rookie is second on the team in receptions and targets, showing Goff is trusting him more every week. Laporta has at least four catches in each of the team’s games, and many fantasy owners are hitting themselves for sleeping on him in their drafts.
Defensively, we know who the star is. Aidan Hutchinson has become a full-blown star as a pass rusher. The second-year player is off to a flying start (3.5 sacks so far), after 9.5 sacks in 2022. He was a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year and definitely has a chance to be the Defensive Player of the Year for the NFC this season.
Aidan Hutchinson already looks like a TOP-10 defender through four weeks:
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 29, 2023
• 27 total pressures (leads team)
• 3.5 sacks (leads team)
• 7 QB hits (leads team)
• 12 tackles
• 3 passes defensed
Hutchinson said this off-season that he was “very thankful” the Jaguars passed on… pic.twitter.com/0JnCSmVgTT
Rookie Brian Branch has been solid for Detroit, especially with his pick-six interception of Patrick Mahomes in week one. A Pro Football Focus grade of 79.6 ranks him the best among safeties in the league, as he has been solid in run defense (89.1) and coverage (80.3).
The addition of C.J. Gardner Johnson (70.7) in free agency has helped at the cornerback position, as he lines up opposite Cameron Sutton (70.1 PFF grade). Derrick Barnes (71.1) at linebacker has been solid himself with 22 tackles on the year thus far. Next to him is rookie Jack Campbell (17 tackles), who is still developing into hopefully a star himself.
They’re Here To Run The North
A 21-20 win against the reigning Super Bowl Champions is a great way to start the season. Honestly, the Lions should be 4-0 right now if it wasn’t for the overtime game against Seattle in week two. But, they held the Falcons to six points in week three, and continue to handle business against the Green Bay. With last night’s win, they have now won four straight against the Packers
The rest of the team’s schedule isn’t as bad the rest of the way. The only tough matchups I see are the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, and New Orleans Saints. I’m not saying they’re going to finish 13-4. But…
“Like I said, send us anywhere. Line us up against anyone, and we feel like we can go in there and beat them, and that’s a good feeling to have. Is it always gonna happen? I don’t know, but we feel like we can. We have that confidence in ourselves, in our coaches and each other. We’re working together really well right now.” – Jared Goff after improving to 3-1 on the season
Minnesota and Chicago are 0-3. Green Bay may continue to struggle with Jordan Love. Why can’t Detroit win the NFC North?
I believe in them. Do you?
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Featured Image: Rey Del Rio/Getty Images
