Detroit Lions – 2015 Super Bowl Chances
The Detroit Lions showed some improvement last season after a terrible 2012 but it wasn’t enough to save the coach. This year they are hoping that Jim Caldwell can get them to the next level with a little help from Matt Stafford and Megatron of course. This team has always been able to move the ball and score but they need to get their defense to pick up some of the slack too.
There are some nice pieces that they need to gel as a unit. Cappers Picks provides free NFL football handicapping tips all season long.
2014 Detroit Lions Preview
Coach: Jim Caldwell
2013 Record: 7-9
Lions Betting Odds to win NFC North: 7/2
Lions Betting Odds to win Super Bowl: 40/1
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Key Addition:
WR Golden Tate
Key Loss:
DE Willie Young
Lions Strengths:
I know that Megatron gets all of the attention but I love their running back situation with Reggie Bush and Joique Bell. Bush had a super year last year with more than 1000 yards and 50+ catches while Bell provided both power running and soft hands. No matter which player is in the game the Lions can run or pass and create mismatches.
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Any receiving corps with Calvin Johnson is better than half the league but he was getting way too much attention last year so the Lions picked up Golden Tate. I am not his biggest fan but he makes plays and comes from a winning program up in Seattle. The Lions need more guys like that.
The defensive line is a monster waiting to explode with ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley they have a super talented tackle tandem. On the end Ziggy Ansah showed flashes as a rookie and with a little consistency could be among NFL sack leaders in just his second season.
Lions Weaknesses:
I am a big fan of QB Matthew Stafford but the Lions are never going to win consistently until he values the ball a little more. Last year again he was among interception leaders as he struggled with forcing the ball into tight spots. Johnson cannot catch absolutely everything.
While the line has lots of potential the linebacking corps is pretty limited. The drafting of Kyle Van Noy adds some potential but the rest of the groupies a bunch of pluggers, none of them likely to make any game changing plays. Detroit probably hasn’t had an impact LB since Chris Spielman.
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This is a very good offense overall but one where the weaknesses upfront. The line possesses no elite players and is expecting to start a couple of second year players who were not very heralded coming into the league a year ago. Their inability to protect is what puts so much pressure on Stafford.
Detroit Lions NFL 2014 7-9
2014 Lions NFL Schedule:
- 9/8/14 7:10 PM ET NYG
- 9/14/14 1:00 PM ET @CAR
- 9/21/14 1:00 PM ET GB
- 9/28/14 1:00 PM ET @NYJ
- 10/5/14 1:00 PM ET BUF
- 10/12/14 1:00 PM ET @MIN
- 10/19/14 1:00 PM ET NO
- 10/26/14 9:30 AM ET @ATL
- BYE
- 11/9/14 1:00 PM ET MIA
- 11/16/14 4:25 PM ET @ARI
- 11/23/14 1:00 PM ET @NE
- 11/27/14 12:30 PM ET CHI
- 12/7/14 1:00 PM ET TB
- 12/14/14 1:00 PM ET MIN
- 12/21/14 1:00 PM ET @CHI
- 12/28/14 1:00 PM ET @GB
The Lions should get off to a fast start thanks to a light early schedule – especially if Cam Newton is not healthy for week 2.
That will serve to ratchet up expectations like it has in the past. Detroit could easily start the season 5-1 but they will also likely be a fade candidate down the stretch when the competition is a lot sharper.
Plus they go to London this season and I don’t see how that can help them. Just remember to back early and fade late.
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