2010 NFL Predictions: Detroit Lions

August 24, 2010

The last two seasons haven’t been pretty, but at least the Detroit Lions appear to be headed in the right direction. After finishing the 2008 season at 0-16, the Lions were able to record two victories last year. After adding Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best via the draft, and Kyle Vanden Bosch and Nate Burleson (among others) via free agency, more improvement is expected to be on the way.

Offense: The Lions ranked No. 27 in the NFL in scoring offense last season, averaging only 16.4 points per game. But with the talent that has been added, Detroit should be able to best that number easily as long as Matthew Stafford continues to mature.

Stafford endured some ups and downs, as you might expect from a rookie, but all in all he put together an impressive season. In 10 games, he passed for 2,267 yards and 13 touchdowns with 20 interceptions. He really shined in a comeback win over the Cleveland Browns when he passed for 422 yards and five touchdowns.

Stafford already has the luxury of throwing to one of the best young wide receivers in the game (Calvin Johnson), and now the speedy Burleson gives him another big play option. In 14 games, Johnson made 67 catches for 984 yards and five scores last season. In just 13 games, Burleson hauled in 63 passes for 812 yards and three touchdowns for Seattle.

Kevin Smith has proven to be a very productive, versatile back. Last season, he tallied 1,162 total yards and five scores. And the running game will only improve with the addition of Best.

Defense: The Lions have the most work to do on the defensive side of the football. This unit finished last in the entire league in both scoring and total defense last season. That prompted the Lions to spend their No. 2 overall pick on Suh. Few players have ever dominated the college game in the trenches the way Suh did for Nebraska last season. The Lions hope he can pick up right where he left off. Suh will benefit from playing on an upgraded line which will also feature Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams.  These additions will help the Lions put more heat on the quarterback, and that will help them do a better job of defending the pass.

Detroit ranked last in the league in pass defense in 2009, allowing 265.6 yards per game. The Lions didn’t see their lack of a pass rush as the only problem and decided to part ways with corners Philip Buchanon and Anthony Henry. The Lions are hoping that Chris Houston, Jonathan Wade, Dante Wesley and Amari Spievey will be able to step in and step up.

Second-year guys Louis Delmas and DeAndre Levy are players to watch. Delmas was arguably Detroit’s best defensive player as a rookie, and the Lions are very excited about the potential Levy has shown.

Prediction: 4th NFC North – While I expect the Lions to be better on both sides of the football, I don’t think they are ready to dig themselves out of the NFC North cellar just yet.  And lines makers agree, listing Detroit as a +2000 long shot to win the division. Be sure to check out my 2010 NFL predictions to see which team I have winning the NFC North this season.

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Posted by Jimmy Boyd · Filed Under Football Picks, Football Predictions, Football Rankings 

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