2015 Season Win Total - 8.5
Year In Review: The Detroit Lions finished the year at 11-5 last year..Most may have thought the Lions would miss the playoffs once again. In fact the Lions had a great chance to win a playoff game, but came up short Vs Dallas on the road...Detroit went 7-1 last year at home and the defense really stepped up for this team. How will the Lions fair in 2015?
--- 2015 Key Additions:
DT - Haloti Ngata
LB - Brandon Copeland
DB - Josh Wilson
DT - Tyrunn Walker
(Overview) --- Filling in the pieces for the Lions on defense has been interesting. The departure of Suh and Fairley will be noticed for sure this year..Fairley wasn't a game changer like Suh, but he was a big body in the middle and that will be hard to replace with his youth alone. That brings us to Haloti Ngata who is now taking up the middle in place of Fairley. Ngata now brings some baggage though. After fighting off a few injuries and his recent 4 game suspension due to using PED's, Ngata will have to prove his worth to the Lions..I believe he can step up and make some key contribuations for this defense. Tyrunn Walker will also get the start this year opposite of Ngata. This is a area the Lions will need to have success to come close to the Lions defensive front of last year.
--- 2015 Key Departures:
RB - Reggie Bush
DE - Ndamukong Suh
DT - Nick Fairley
(Overview) --- With only a few key moves this offseason the Lions replaced the defesive guys in Suh and Fairley. This will hurt the defensive front for sure. It might help the Lions in the pocketbook so to speak. As far as Reggie Bush moving along in his pro career, the Lions will need to find a RB. Sure Joique Bell is a nice running back, but the Lions need some young talent that can stay healthy for the course of the season. The departure of Bush might not be that bad for the Lions this year. One way or another, this move should be an upgrade for the Lions on offense.
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2015 Detroit Lions - Schedule
REGULAR
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1 SEP 13 4:05PMEDT ) AT
CHARGERS
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2 SEP 20 1:00PMEDT ) AT
VIKINGS
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3 SEP 27 8:30PMEDT '
BRONCOS
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4 OCT 5 8:30PMEDT + AT
SEAHAWKS
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5 OCT 11 4:05PMEDT )
CARDINALS
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6 OCT 18 1:00PMEDT )
BEARS
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7 OCT 25 1:00PMEDT )
VIKINGS
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8 NOV 1 09:30AMEST ) AT
CHIEFS
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10 NOV 15 1:00PMEST ) AT
PACKERS
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11 NOV 22 1:00PMEST *
RAIDERS
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12 NOV 26 12:30PMEST )
EAGLES
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13 DEC 3 8:25PMEST * ,
PACKERS
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14 DEC 13 1:00PMEST ) AT
RAMS
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15 DEC 21 8:30PMEST + AT
SAINTS
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16 DEC 27 1:00PMEST )
49ERS
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17 JAN 3 1:00PMEST ) AT
BEARS
(Overview) --- This schedule for the Lions looks rather tough for the this year. They start out with two road games with quality teams in the Chargers and the Vikings..Then come home to face Denver. Take to the road in Seattle after that. Not exactly the easiest way to start the season with your first four games. Going into the bye week on the road in KC won't help at all. Then coming out on the road to face GB. The second half is just as bad if not worse for the Lions. They get 1 home game Vs. the Raiders and the rest of the second half is tough all around..Playing the NFC west this year will pose a great challenge. 49ers will visit in Detroit, but 3 out of 4 games on the road to close out the season looks to be tough. They close with Rams, Saints, Bears on the road the final 3 of 4 games. This is one of the toughest schedules in the entire league.
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The Offense : 2014 - Pass 12th / Rush 28th
--- Mathew Stafford is going to have to find himself a great NFL season this year. With teams doubling up on Calvin Johnson, it's getting harder for a guy like Stafford to find quality options. The running game needs a huge boost and i believe they can get that in the draft. It may take some time for the running game to get going though. One of the leagues worst rushing offenses will need to produce yards on the ground for sure. Yes, it's a passing league but the Lions can't go one dimensional and expect to have success on offense. Stafford only finshed 2014 with 22 td's last year. He did a much better job of not throwing the ball to the other team as we have seen him do in the past. I never liked the mobility of Stafford and at times it showed last year. Without Stafford this team could be in serious trouble. Stafford had some very poor games last year as well. Finishing games with a QBR at 63,49,53, and 61 %...most in part due to the lack of quality targets to Calvin Johnson and some good defensive play on the other side. Stafford did limit his mistakes last year and that in itself is a big positive for the QB.
--- The Lions offense of the last few years will need to resurface again. Golden Tate (Not pictured) had a great NFL season last year..He caught 99 passes for 1,300 yards. Calvin Johnson had a few games he missed last year due to injury, but still Johnson only with 71 catches last year is way down from the norm here for the Lions passing attack. Last year was his second lowest total of targets in his career. He should have a much better year this year i believe. As far as the rest of the team in the passing game, it really isn't all that scary. Eric Ebron (pictured middle) had only 25 catches last year. Brandon Pettigrew had only 10 catches all of last season. That needs to change and Stafford needs to get these guys involved much more in the offense. The lack of using the Tight End caused the Lions to struggle on 3rd down..Lions finished ranked 18th in the league with moving the chains on 3rd down. It was pretty clear that doubling up Calvin Johnson was a killer for this team..They need to use the players they have. Joique Bell (pictured right) had a productive season last year.. He averaged 3.9 ypc and ended the year with 860 yards. Not a bad back catching passes out of the backfield either. Worry for Bell is if he can be the back to carry this team on his back. I think we have seen enough to say that's not the case. He lacks that explosive play for the most part. His speed is ok, but it's not groundbreaking by any means. He is a great back to have on the field, but i'm not sold on Bell as being the bellcow for this Lions rushing attack in 2015.
(Area Of Concern) --- OG, RB, DT
What the Lions lack is depth. Quality depth for the most part. The Lions are a good team with almost zero game changing players. Exclude Calvin Johnson from that statement. The Offensive Guard position is shaky at best. It's a big toss up of who will even start at the guard position when the season starts. They also lack depth and inexperience at this spot. A few key injuries and it could be big trouble in Detroit. The draft will be sure to fill some holes, but i worry about who the Lions draft to fill in these holes. Lions haven't been the greatest team on draft day. They have improved in the draft for sure over the last two years. DT will be a tough call for this year. You won't replace the talent of Suh with a draft prospect this year unless the Lions move up in the draft. That may take a few years to even develop if it all. We spoke about Bell, but the Lions need a game changer on this team along side Calvin Johnson. The lack of running the ball in 2014 really made this Lions offense predictable. The Lions may need to move up if they want a quality back in Gordon or Gurley. The 2nd round may prove to be the spot the Lions in fact take a RB. My gut says Duke Johnson ends up here in Detroit...This may sound crazy, but i can see the headlines Monday morning reading Johnson & Johnson.
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Key Stats --- (Offense)
The Lions finished with 310 first downs last year. Ranking them 20th in the league behind teams like Atlanta, Giants, Wash and Chicago. This is a eye sore for this team right now when they look at the season stats. This area needs to improve or the Lions will struggle this year.
The rushing game last year was down for the most part. They finished ranked 28th in the league with total yards on the ground. They also finshed ranked 17th with only 11 rushing td's all year.
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The Defense : 2014 - Pass 13th / Rush 1st
--- If the Lions had 11 DeAndre Levy's (beard) on the field it would be rather scary. Levy is just a tackling machine. He had 151 tackles last year. That's insane how much he is around the ball. Ngata coming in now will be a big question mark. I'm not sold on how he will perform after testing postive for PED's. He may just be down a touch and he is also coming into his 10th season. That's a ton of wear and tear for a 340 lb NT...Rashean Mathis has really stepped up for this defense on the backend. Mathis had 51 tackles last year and was very solid on the right side for the Lions.
--- Glover Quinn (pictured left) also know to the team as "GQ" is a ball hocking FS. He led the team last year with 7 INT's. The combination of Darius Slay (pictured right) and Quinn makes this Lions backend rather scary. Throw in James Ihedigbo as well and you have one of the better defensive backfields in the league. I really like the Lions in the backend and i think we will see a great season from them this year.
(Area Of Concern) --- Linebacker & Defensive Tackle
I'm not sold that the Lions really need help at the LB position. Some others may disagree, but i feel the Lions are ok at that position. I can see an upgrade sooner or later for the Lions in that spot. Maybe some depth can be added at the LB spot..DT is the area of concern here for the Lions. With Suh and Fairley moving along to other teams, that will leave a significant gap on the defensive front. I still think the Lions DT position is ok for the msot part this year. I can see a decline in rush defense and sacks. I doubt it will be so drastic that the Lions are scrambling for playmakers here though. The NFL draft may give them a bright spot with the LB position if they can land a Vic Beasley, Eric Kendricks, or Bud Dupree.
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Key Stats 2014 --- (Defense)
Detroit did very well with sacks last year. Ranked 8th in the league with 42 sacks on the year. I worry again with a regression in this department.
Detroit was great last year in the Giveaway/Takeaway area. They finished +7 on the year. More often then not teams will regress after having such a good year in that dept. Another worry for the Lions. Not to mention they lose Suh off the defensive front.
Lions gave offenses fits last year with the passing defense. This is a very strong area for the Lions. They Lions had 20 Int's last year and ranked 3rd. They will need this type of play again this year to contend in the NFC North.
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2015 Draft Positions
Round 1 - (23)
Round 2 - (54)
Round 3 - (88)
Round 4 - None - Traded to Baltimore
Round 5 - None - Traded to Baltimore
Round 6 - (200)
Round 7 - (231)
Round 7 - (240)
The Lions moved up last year to get a hold of Kyle Van Noy. I actually like this kid a ton. I watched him in college when he played for BYU and he was just all over the place. I think he will have a strong 2nd year here for the Lions. This year they need more depth in almost every position. Maybe taking a LB is a bit of a stetch and they might in fact just look to a pure pass rusher this year on defense. They first need to address the situation at OG and OT more than anything. Andrus Peat from Stanford is a huge body and would start open day IMO..He rolls in at 6'7 315..That is some serious quality for the Lions. He played in a pro style offense and can really help the run game on the inside. RB is also a area the Lions may look in the draft. With limited picks this year moving up to draft Gordon or Gurley seems like a real stretch. Duke Johnson i believe will get a look in the second round if he is available.
Mock - Stanford OG - Andrus Peat
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2015 Season Wins (Prediction)
The Lions offense is one key injury to Calvin Johnson or Golden Tate from being in serious trouble.. They need some depth and they need to stay healthy this year. The lack of a run game this year may just come into effect. The key for this team is the O-Line and the quality of players they have right now. They can gamble and hope none of the playmakers get hurt this year. My gut says the offense struggles this year all aorund. No matter who they get in the draft.
The WR talent is above avg IMO..Calvin Johnson can win you a game if you just throw it in his general direction. He has been getting double teamed, and that has opened the door for Golden Tate. The TE's need to step up and contribute to this offense this year. With Bell and maybe a new young star VIA NFL draft, the run game can rebound from a down year.
I have no issues with this Lions defense at all. I think they are stacked up enough with the starters. They can use some depth and maybe another solid player in certain defensive packages. The departure of Suh will be felt for sure, but the Lions will be above avg on defense again this year.
Special Teams for the Lions is a concern.. The kicking last year was pretty bad. Jeremy Ross at times last year helped the Lions out bigtime. I expect him to have another solid year of returning kicks and punts. Overall the Lions special teams needs some attention in the kickoff coverage area.
--- I like HC Jim Caldwell for the most part. I think he lacks raw emotions more than anything. He is a cool and calm kinda of coach. He demands respect and execution from his players. His offensive mind is very good and i liked the hire when the Lions picked him up. He is a good fit for this Lions team overall.
Defense can only do so much for you in a NFL season. I expect some regression from the defense and the +/- Giveaway/Takeway might just be seen this year. With Suh off the team now, the Lions will struggle in the pass rush area and rushing game. The defense overall is very solid though. The offense is my key concern. The O-line needs to get better for the most part. I have serious concerns for the playmakers on this team. Johnson is a beast and Tate has become very good. After that you get next to nothing from the rest of the offensive starters. It's just filling in blank spots for the most part. They need a big time player to step up or draft a guy who can be a game changer this year. I'm not so sure anyone can do that on this roster. The schedule is my biggest concern. This is no picnic here for the Lions. The beginning and the entire 2nd half of the season looks very tough. Aside from a three game home stetch in the weeks of 5-8, the Lions have a tall order in front of them. I just don't believe they have the horses on offense to contend on the road with this schedule. The home schedule isn't all that easy and some of the situations just don't favor the Lions...One key injury on offense and this team will finish below .500..I can see a 7, 8 or 9 at best for the Lions. I'll stick with my under 8.5 here.
(Detroit Lions) - 8.5 WINS = UNDER
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