Detroit Lions: 12 wins – 5 losses, NFC North champions, third in NFC
Six seasons without playoffs and thirty-two years without a playoff victory! In 2022, Detroit narrowly missed qualifying by finishing 8th in the NFC. This year, they are there so Lions fans start dreaming.
How did they get there?
Detroit started strong with 5 wins in the first 6 games! Posting a 6-2 record before their bye week, they followed up with 6 wins and 3 losses.
The key player: Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR)
The most important god in Egyptian mythology, the man named Amon-Ra St. Brown is also the major element in the attack on Detroit.
Jared Goff's priority target, he exceeded 100 receiving yards in 9 games in 2023! Not to mention two games at 90 and 95 yards. Aligned most of the time in the slot (interior), he has been decisive for two seasons.
In 2022 already, he had scored 1,161 yards but Amon-Ra St. Brown had to improve his impact on the scoreboard (6 touchdowns). In 2023, he was able to progress in the most crucial area for a receiver: 1,515 yards and especially 10 touchdowns.
Injured players
Author of an exceptional season for a beginner at the tight end position, Sam LaPorta was injured during the last regular season game. The duration of his unavailability is not yet known. With 10 touchdowns and almost 900 yards after receptions, his absence against the Los Angeles Rams could be detrimental for Detroit.
Another player who could be absent, Kalif Raymond. His contribution as a receiver is valuable with 489 yards and more than 15 yards per reception! But it is above all to return the punts that Detroit will miss, if it is not returned before this Sunday, January 14, 2023.
Why are they going to go through with it?
Detroit's attack is effective, very effective even! If it ends the season being the 3rd NFL in yards per game, it is above all the one which produces the 3rd total yards per game (5.9). This allows the Lions to advance on the field. And when it comes to conclusion, they don't tremble: 3rd NFL in percentage of touchdowns when they are in the opposing 20 yards!
Well protected by his offensive line (4th NFL in sacks conceded), quarterback Jared Goff is particularly decisive when he attacks deep: top 5 NFL for completing passes of 20 yards or more. In fact, receivers Josh Reynolds, Jamison Williams, Khalif Raymond, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Amon-Ra St. Brown all exceed 10 yards per reception in 2023.
Nicknamed the Happy League Pass because the passing game is predominant, running remains an essential component in the NFL. Even more in the playoffs!
In 2023, the Lions are the best NFL offense in rushing touchdowns (tied with Miami and San Francisco). The strong David Montgomery and the confusing Jahmyr Gibbs form a formidable duo because they are complementary. Detroit knows how to run and also knows how to stop its opponents' runs.
Detroit's defensive scheme is 3-3-5. The presence of three players on the back curtain is no longer as common in the NFL as it was a few years ago. In Detroit, a trio of linebackers is aligned the majority of games and it shows! Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes leave opposing runners little chance: 2nd NFL defense in yards conceded on the ground in the game.
Why won't they go?
While defending the run remains important, the game in the NFL is mostly aerial and the Lions still lack a major number 1 cornerback. During the regular season, Detroit conceded 28 touchdowns in the air, a result ranking them 27th in the NFL in this category!
The majority of the time, franchises reaching the playoffs rely on the quality of their quarterbacks. So obviously, the ball is in their hands in decisive matches. With such fragile air defense, they have little chance of going all the way.
The Detroit Lions squad is talented, hence their presence in the playoffs. But in these knockout matches, experience counts! At the most important position, Jared Goff has already tasted the Super Bowl with the Rams in 2018. Tackle Taylor Decker and runner David Montgomery are the only other starters on offense to have played a game (and only one) in the playoffs!
On defense, only three players have already experienced the pressure of these high-stakes games: CJ Gardner-Johnson (6 games), Alex Anzalone (4 games) and Cameron Sutton (3 games). And everyone has experienced this with other teams.
Prognosis
Victory in Wild Card (1st round) then defeated in Divisional RoundEdit (2nd round).
