Detroit Lions: Playoff lock in 2023?

The new, high energy Detroit Lions squad proved to be a formidable force last season. The Lion’s put the league on blast in 2022 with one of the most potent offenses and a 9-8 record. After five years of losing seasons, it would seem the Dan Campbell regime has finally been the answer Detroit has been looking for.

They might not have been one of the elite teams of 2022, but the new-look Lions were just a few plays away from a +10 win season and a playoff berth. They proved to be the hard-nosed team Dan Campbell promised to put together when he signed up two years ago, and they show no signs of slowing down.

Now, with an established nucleus of players and a productive offseason underway, Detroit seems primed to be a playoff team this upcoming season. 

Strides were made in 2022

While Detroit showed their youth throughout the year, they proved they can hang with the best. In week one, they played against the eventual NFC Champion the Philadelphia Eagles who were expected to blow by the lowly Lions.

Jalen Hurts may have had his way with Detroit’s D, yet this was anything but an easy win for the Birds who gave up 35 points. The Lion’s battled back from down 38-21 going into the fourth and brought the game to 35-38, almost completing the comeback. This would end up being the second-best performance against the Bird’s top-5 defense all regular season.

 On Thanksgiving, they played against one of the AFC’s best: the Buffalo Bills. The Bills, being Super Bowl contenders, were again expected to steamroll the Lion’s. But the Lion’s would prove their merit and put the Super Bowl contenders in a tough spot. The Lion’s stuck with the Bills all game and tied it at 25-25 with 23 seconds left in the fourth.

While the Bills would win it with a last second field goal by Tyler Bass, the Lion’s proved on a national stage they can hang with the best. From this point on, the confidence in Detroit’s locker room was palpable as they took off and went 5-1 over the rest of the season. One of their statement victories on this run was in their final must-win game against the Packers to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Packers no longer to force of the NFC North

That night, they went toe-to-toe with Aaron Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever do it, and held his red-hot offense to just one touchdown. They would end up winning the pivotal game, but would unfortunately get edged out of the playoffs due to a tiebreaker with the Seattle Seahawks.

But, while they missed the postseason, the Lions showed the world they aren’t the hopeless squad they had been in the past. They proved to be one of the league’s ascending teams, with an electric young group of players, especially on the offensive side of the ball. 

Throughout the season, it was evident the Lions had put together one of the best offenses in the NFL. They had the 8th ranked offense in the entire league and came in 5th for points scored per game at 26.6, 4th in yards per play and 4th in total yards per game. They were easily one of the most explosive offenses this year and not just against any talent. They shined against elite talent as they averaged an eye-opening 29.67 points per game against playoff defenses.

The Lions were one of the most high-scoring offenses in the league last year and unfortunately for opposing defenses, they have almost every player on their offense returning plus some new ones. They’ll be adding two talented players, wideout Jameson Williams and halfback David Montgomery, who will both have major roles in this high-flying Detroit offense.

With these additions and the return of nearly every piece on their top-5 offense in 2022, the Lion’s offense seems poised to continue their run as one of the premier attacks in the league in 2023. 

Defense looking to improve

On the flip side, the Lion’s defense seemed to have produced more questions than answers in 2022. They ranked last in both allowed rushing and passing yards per game and gave up a whopping 25.1 points per game.

Despite these shortcomings, the young defensive group in Detroit had a few bright spots throughout the season and has added major pieces to the secondary this offseason. On the defensive line, they’ve drafted two impressive young pieces, Alim McNeill and Aidan Hutchinson. McNeill has become a stalwart interior lineman, while Hutchinson has cemented himself as the cornerstone of the Lion’s defense with a resounding nine sacks in his rookie year.

Moreover, during last season, they saw the emergence of two stud linebackers in Malcolm Rodriguez and James Houston. Houston burst onto the scene with 8 sacks in 7 games, while Rodriguez came in as a sixth-round pick and proved to be a starting level linebacker as a rookie. 

Offseason additions will make a difference

This offseason, the Lions have made a concerted effort to bolster their secondary around this promising young talent they’ve put together on their front seven. They made three key signings in CJ Gardner-Johnson, Cam Sutton, and Emmanuel Moseley.

CJGJ is coming off a Super Bowl season with the Eagles where he cemented himself as one of the best safeties in the game with a league high six interceptions. Cam Sutton has also been a premier player at the nickel corner position for the Steelers, and finally got his big payday here in Detroit.

Unlike the other two, Moseley is one of the more under-the-radar signings by the Lions due to him tearing his ACL last season. But, prior to his injury, he was the starting outside corner for the Niners, one of the best defenses in the league, where he earned himself a multi-million-dollar extension in 2021.

Needless to say, all three defensive backs are proven players that have played key roles on some of the best defenses in the league. As a result, their veteran presence and high-level ability will prove to be essential in stabilizing the Lions defense. 

What improvements can be made in the draft?

Heading into the draft, the Lions have as good an opportunity as anyone to add premier talent to positions of need. They have major draft capital coming into this year with five picks inside the top-100, including two in the first round. This will be quite advantageous for the Lions considering this year’s draft is flooded with talented defensive lineman, one position they have yet to address this offseason.

While they have seen promising play from players in house on their front four, they still lack substantial depth at the position. But, with five high level picks in a defensive line heavy draft, the Lions have quite the opportunity to add meaningful players on this front. If they are able to do so successfully, taking into account their additions to the secondary, their defense could take a major step in 2023. 

If it hasn’t been made clear yet, today’s Detroit squad is not one that should be taken lightly. They have one of the best offenses in the league and proved the hang with the best of them. Now, with their blossoming young talent all returning, plus the additions they’ve made on both sides of the ball, the Lion’s seem well set-up for great success in 2023.