Why the Lions are playoff bound in 2022
The Detroit Lions have forever been one of the laughing stocks of the NFL. This year however, three games in, they’ve shown they’re a team no one can take lightly. After a lacklustre 3-13-1 finish in 2021, the Lions have come onto the scene in 2022 with some juice. Through three weeks they sit at 1-2 with two one possession losses against elite talent. Now, as they enter the lighter part of their schedule, they hope to put it together in what should be a playoff push.
The Lions have silently had two highly productive off seasons since hiring GM Brad Holmes and Head Coach Dan Campbell in 2021. They immediately started a new era of Lions football by trading longtime franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Rams for signal caller Jared Goff.
Since this move, they have added legitimate difference makers at key positions to support their new franchise quarterback. In their first offseason, they were able to pick up two offensive weapons for Goff by drafting star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and signing a change-of-pace back in Jamaal Williams. Furthermore, they were able to bolster their lines with the addition of stud tackle Penei Sewell and defensive tackle Alim McNiell.
Offseason additions making the difference
In their second offseason they continued to build off this momentum by filling out their roster with proven veterans while securing a franchise cornerstone in edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. They were able to ink stud wideout DJ Chark to pair with St. Brown, while adding three more starters in safeties Deshon Elliott and JuJu Hughes, and cornerback Michael Hughes.
Following this free agency haul, they also added a starting caliber linebacker by drafting a surprise phenom in Malcolm Rodriguez with the 188th pick.
Through these additions, Holmes and Campbell have successfully filled out key positions on their roster to pair with their superstar talents in D’Andre Swift, TJ Hockenson and Frank Ragnow. Now, after two years of infusing the roster with impactful talent, the revamped Lions are now starting to take shape and contend with first class competition.
In their first three games, the Lions have gone blow for blow with some of the best teams in the league. In week one, the Lions put up a valiant effort against the hottest team in the league in the Philadelphia Eagles, led by quarterback phenom Jalen Hurts. After the Eagles went up 31-14 at the start of the third, the Lions battled all the way back on the arm of Jared Goff and outscored the Eagles 21-7, falling three points shy of a comeback victory.
In week two, the Lions handled the woeful Commanders by shutting them out 22-0 in the first half. While the Commanders pulled off a mini comeback to bring the game within one possession at 29-21. Amon-Ra St. Brown and the offense couldn’t be stopped, dropping 36 points on Washington off St. Brown’s nine catches for a buck sixteen and two touchdowns.
In their most recent bout against the Vikings, they created an early 24-14 lead off of Jamaal Williams’ explosive two touchdowns. While they would end up blowing this lead in a tough 24-28 loss, the Lions handled the Vikings for three and a half quarters and lost on a last second touchdown to KJ Osborn.
Improved offense in Detroit
While yes, they’ve lost more games than won, they are currently second in total touchdowns scored in the league and third in total points. Despite their current last place position in the NFC North, if the Lions can stay hot offensively, they should be more than set up for a run in the latter part of their schedule.
The NFC North being severely weakened by key departures along with their last place schedule could create the perfect storm for a Lions playoff push. While the Packers have run away with the North the last three years, the departure of superstar wideout Davante Adams has left the Packers offense lifeless, ranking only 27th in total points scored.
The Vikings have come out as the frontrunners to win the division but they‘ve struggled the last two weeks due to inconsistent quarterback and defensive play. Lastly, the Bears may be 2-1 but are deep into a rebuild with a struggling young quarterback and an overall team rank of 29th.
They’ll get a crack at these two depleted teams in the Packers and Bears twice each, as well as the Vikings once more. Furthermore, they’ll get to play a slew of mediocre teams in the Seahawks (28th), Patriots (20th), Giants (32nd), Jets (26th) and Panthers (24th). If the Lions can secure these matchups against weak teams and take advantage of their depleted divisional opponents, they are well positioned to make at least a wildcard run.
The Lions are surely no world-beater and their roster is still a long way from being a real contender. But their improved play and heightened intensity has given them an edge that may just push them into the playoff picture.