Coming into the 2016 NFL season, expectations were fairly low for the Detroit Lions. After all, they had finished in third place in the NFC North with a record of 7-9, including a span of which they went 1-7 over their first eight games. While that season was fairly mediocre, the fact that they went 6-2 over their last ten games led many around the NFL to think that the Lions could perhaps be a contender in the 2016 season. However, that was before people knew that superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson was going to retire at the end of the season. After “Megatron”‘s retirement, many wrote the Lions off as finishing way out of the playoff picture and perhaps in the cellar of the NFC North.
In spite of all of this, the Lions looked more composed and poised than they have in several years on Sunday in their thrilling victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford looked like player that earned a Pro Bowl appearance in 2014, and was able to lead his Lions on a game-winning field goal drive in the final minute of the game. The running game flourished around the combination of Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah, and the team looked even better than they did with Johnson last season.
Detroit Lions: Composed in the Face of Adversity
When looking at their performance on Sunday, one area that was phenomenal was their passing game. Led by Stafford, the Lions had 20 first downs via pass and averaged over eight yards per play through the air, including plays that resulted in a sack. Perhaps more important than either of these statistics is that the Lions had zero turnovers. In order to be a true playoff contender, ball security is essential to a team’s success. If a team can hold on to the ball and limit turnovers, they will not only maintain possession of the football, but they will also maintain the momentum of a drive and the benefits that a long, scoring drive can provide. In addition to having zero turnovers, Stafford had an extremely efficient game, completing 31 of his 39 pass attempts for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
Without Johnson, many wondered who the Lions new top receiver would be. Would it be the former Pro Bowler Golden Tate? Or would it be the newcomer via free agency, Marvin Jones? The answer to that question, quite simply, has still not been answered. While Tate led the team with seven receptions, Jones led all receivers with 85 receiving yards and had the Lions longest reception for 32 yards. When it comes down to it, the true number one receiver does not need to emerge for the Lions as long as they are being as efficient on offense as they were in week one. If Stafford can prove to be efficient without a true top receiver, then the Lions have nothing to worry about.
Defensive Worries
While the Lions were phenomenal on offense, their defense was far from spectacular. Giving up 450 total yards, including 385 and four touchdowns to quarterback Andrew Luck, the Lions defense showed several flaws that must be fixed in order for the Lions to be contenders. Forcing no turnovers, the only bright side of their defense was that they managed to get two sacks on Luck, both coming from defensive end Kerry Hyder. While these issues may be large, expect the Lions to cut down on their flaws over the course of the season and establish a solid defensive unit.
In the end, the Lions have proven to be a team that is certainly composed in the face of adversity. Facing the loss of one of the NFL’s greatest receivers may seem daunting to overcome, but the Lions proved in week one to be capable of overcoming the loss of Calvin Johnson. While there remain issues, especially defensively, the Lions looked like a potential playoff team against the Colts, and Sunday’s game could perhaps be a sign of what to expect from Detroit in 2016.
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