Could the Lions make a shock playoff charge in 2022?
The Detroit Lions have had an excellent offseason.
After a disappointing 2021, many commentators seem to be a lot more optimistic about Detroit’s chances this year. In fact, ESPN’s Mina Kimes admitted she is worried about them winning too many games this season… who would have thought it!
But it now begs the question, would it be absurd to say the Lions could make a surprise play-off charge in 2022?
In Dan Campbell’s first season as Lions head coach, the franchise struggled and failed to win for the first 11 games of the campaign. They then recorded their first victory on the 5th of December 2021, when they defeated divisional rivals the Minnesota Vikings 29-27.
Jared Goff, entering his first season at Ford Field was left a frustrated figure for much of 2021. But his sparkling end to the campaign offered fresh hope.
In the victory against the Vikings, the former Los Angeles Rams quarterback was excellent. He completed 25 of his 41 throws and threw for 296 yards, as well as scoring a total of three touchdowns.
In fact, over the course of the last five games, the 27-year-old successfully had one of the highest-rated passers in the NFL, with a rating of 107.1. During this period, the Detroit-based franchise were beginning to click under the charismatic Campbell, as they defeated the Arizona Cardinals 30-12 in what was the Lions’ best performance of the season.
They then put on another superb display, defeating their most fierce divisional rivals, the Green Bay Packers 37-30 in a thriller at Ford Field. Goff was tremendous against the Packers, completing 21 of his 30 passes and throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns, as the Lions finished the season in style in front of their home fans.
NFL Draft has Lions fans excited for new campaign
The 2022 NFL draft was a huge success for the Detroit Lions. We’ve outlined just how impressive their opening day was in Las Vegas.
Everyone has been talking about their first pick at second overall, Aidan Hutchinson. He is an extremely talented defensive end.
His aggression and brilliant reading of the game will put him in good stead to prosper in the NFL.
Hutchinson has the potential to become a real nightmare for quarterbacks across the league. The 21-year-old set the single season sack record for Michigan last season, securing 14 in 14 games and he will be loved by the Detroit faithful, having played for Michigan.
The Lions defence last season did on occasions cause havoc, and Hutchinson adds a whole new dimension.
Nobody will relish facing this defence, with the Lions first task being the Philadelphia Eagles in-front of the raucous Detroit supporters at Ford Field. Hutchinson will be looking to make an immediate impact against quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Eagles.
Elsewhere, the Lions traded with divisional rivals the Vikings to select the talented Jameson Williams, in what could prove dividends for the Lions ahead of the new NFL campaign.
The Alabama wide receiver was outstanding in college last season. The Lions look like they have got a sensational prospect on their hands.
Last season, the 21-year-old had a staggering 1,572 yards off 79 receptions, which included an impressive 15 touchdowns in total. Williams’ incredible speed and agility, as well as the ability to make catches in coverage will make him extremely difficult to stifle.
Despite recovering from an ACL injury, there is no doubt Williams has the potential to be a star and he will certainly make the Lions offence more explosive ahead of the new NFL campaign.
He is also a great deep threat, and his tremendous strength will put him in good stead to be a success at Ford Field.
What else has made the Lions offseason so impressive?
Campbell’s team already had so much togetherness in 2021 and that was shown throughout the entire season, even in losing scenarios.
Now the Lions have added some much-needed quality. As well as adding the talented Williams on offense, the Lions also acquired DJ Chark from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Despite his struggles with injury last season, there is no doubting that Chark is a talented player. Before fracturing his ankle in the week four loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the 25-year-old gained 154-yards from just seven receptions. This included scoring two touchdowns.
During his time with the Jaguars, Chark scored a total of 15 touchdowns, with his most impressive season coming in 2019, when he scored eight touchdowns and had over 1,000 receiving yards.
The 2019 Pro Bowler will give the Lions something different to work with. He’s another great option for Goff in what could become an explosive offence in Detroit, with the Lions other two core wide receivers being rookie Williams and the sensational Amon-Ra St. Brown.
St. Brown dazzled towards the end of last season, where he scored five touchdowns in his last six games for the Lions.
The USC product will be hoping to continue that form heading into the new season, because you feel like this Lions team could prove some of their doubters wrong.
This is a franchise which has a bright future ahead of them and the spirit within the Lions camp will be booming following an excellent offseason.
What to expect from the Lions in 2022
The Detroit Lions will want to start strong, which they were unable to do last season. They’re more than capable of pulling off a few shocks, as showcased during their victory over the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals in 2021.
Following a promising offseason, there is no doubt nobody will relish playing Campbell’s franchise.
They now have a great core of receivers and with Michigan product Hutchinson fitting in at defensive-end, this is a season of promise for the Lions.
Of course, I’m being incredibly optimistic and understand that the Lions are still a way off from being genuine Super Bowl contenders.
But, you never know. If they start well, a surprise place in the play-offs might be up for grabs.
This season will be an opportunity for the Lions to shine and show the rest of the league what they’re made of.
