The Detroit Lions head into the 2024 season among the favorites to win the Super Bowl. In an attempt to complete the goal they were unable to achieve last year, the Lions have made several roster upgrades after losing in the NFC title game in January 2024. They added several important defensive and even a few offensive components. The Detroit Lions will be expected to compete for a Super Bowl for the first time since the 1990s; the question is whether they can succeed.
Detroit Lions Offense
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The offense of the Detroit Lions last year was a major factor in their success. The Lions, led by Quarterback Jared Goff, had a top-scoring attack and one of the strongest running back tandems in the NFL. The Lions, led by David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, averaged 4.6 yards per run and amassed 2,311 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns, all top five in the league. This year, big things are anticipated from the duo, and it all begins up front.
The Detroit Lions’ offensive line was among the finest in the NFL last year, and it only got better. The Lions signed pro bowler Kevin Zeitler from the Ravens in free agency after guard Jonah Jackson left for the Rams. Zeitler is expected to take over at right guard straight away. Despite his limited ability to block runs, he is positioned between two of the league’s greatest run blockers, Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell, so that should not provide any issues. The offensive line is completed by Graham Glasgow and Taylor Decker, who were both signed to new contracts by Detroit this year and are likely there for the future.
Who Else Leads Detroit’s Offense
Led by Quarterback Jared Goff, the Detroit Lions passing game was also excellent the previous season. Goff finished among the league’s top passers with 4,575 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. Two key players for Goff were rookie Tight End Sam LaPorta and All-Pro Wide Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
In 2023, St. Brown set career highs with 119 catches for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns. He suffered an injury in Week 3 and had to play almost the entire season with a torn oblique, but he still had a fantastic season and was voted first-team all-pro. LaPorta had amongst the best tight end rookie seasons in NFL history. LaPorta finished the season with 86 receptions, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns. He demonstrated how great of a rookie season he had by being selected to the Pro Bowl and being named a second team all-pro.
In addition to LaPorta and St. Brown, who are anticipated to have excellent seasons once more, Wide Receiver Jameson Williams is also expected to be a vital component of Detroit’s passing attack. Although Williams is entering his third NFL season, this will be the first time he has participated in a full preseason, including a training camp. He Is anticipated to have a significant impact in the 2024 season, taking Josh Reynolds’ spot as the team’s number two wide receiver.
Since Williams hasn’t exactly lived up to the anticipation around him following the draft, this can be a make-or-break year for the young wide receiver. The offense is undoubtedly one of the strongest in the league, and if the Detroit Lions can accomplish their ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl, it will be largely because of this offense.
Detroit Lions Defense
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Last year, the defense had a lot of trouble, particularly in the passing game. 4,562 passing yards were given up by the Detroit Lions, which ranks fourth-worst in the NFL. Detroit’s difficulties in the passing game were mostly due to the play of Cornerbacks Kindle Vildor, Jerry Jacobs, and Cam Sutton. Sutton gave up 889 yards, a league-high, while Vildor and Jacobs gave up a combined 790 yards. The players the Detroit Lions added this summer are the first step in their attempt to improve their passing defense. Terrion Arnold and Carlton Davis, the starting corners, will aim to outperform the corners from the previous season.
After being acquired by Tampa Bay in a trade, Davis has proven several times that he can be a starting-caliber corner in the NFL. Arnold, an Alabama product selected in the first round as a rookie, has been excellent in training camp thus far and is expected to emerge as an instant star.
Amik Robertson was also signed by the Lions, and he will start in the slot. Although Robertson has had some ups and downs in his tenure as a slot corner, this move also ties into a larger one as Brian Branch will be returning to safety on the other side of Kerby Joseph. Head Coach Dan Campbell and the coaching staff believe Branch will perform at his peak and be more effective in both the run and pass games when he is at his natural safety position.
Further Breaking Down The Team’s Defense
Despite the struggles of the pass defense, the run defense was elite. Under the direction of Alim McNeill, Aidan Hutchinson, and Alex Anzalone, the Detroit Lions allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL—just 1,509. DJ Reader, a defensive tackle signed by the Lions in free agency, is expected to contribute to the team’s run defense.
Aidan Hutchinson, the edge rusher, will probably benefit from his assistance in getting out of double teams. Despite finishing the 2023 season with 11.5 sacks and 101 pressures, Hutchinson was frequently double-teamed because of the defensive line’s lack of skill. Hutchinson should be double-teamed less now that Reader and Edge Rusher Marcus Davenport are on the team, which will increase his opportunities to get to the quarterback.
Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone are expected to be the starting linebackers. Given that he will be a starter for the first time in his NFL career in his second year, Campbell is anticipated to make significant improvements. The leader of this defense, Anzalone, had a fantastic season the year before and will be hoping to maintain his domination. Anzalone was essential to the defense last year as the green dot playcaller and is probably going to be even more integral this season.
The success of the Detroit Lions defense will determine a lot about the team’s season. The Detroit Lions stand a good chance of winning the Super Bowl if they can continue to make progress. With a little luck, a Super Bowl could be headed back to Detroit.
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