Fans of the 2023 Detroit Lions have been eagerly anticipating this moment… well, forever. And now, with the Green Bay Packers having traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, the Lions will take full advantage and feast on the NFC North this season. Fans of the Lions must be excited for this upcoming season. The Detroit Lions franchise is about to change for the better as they become the new Kings of the NFC North!
Why The 2023 Detroit Lions Will Win The NFC North
Goff’s Ascending Passer Rating
It is worth noting that Jared Goff’s passer rating has been on the rise every season since 2020, which led to him finishing in the seventh spot in 2022. Here is how he has fared since 2020:
- 2020: 90.0 passer rating (23rd in NFL)
- 2021: 91.5 passer rating (17th in NFL)
- 2022: 99.3 passer rating (7th in NFL)
Can Detroit’s signal-caller get his QBR into the top five this season? He will have some obstacles to overcome. The NFL has suspended Jameson Williams, the dynamic second-year wide receiver, for the first six games of the 2023 Detroit Lions season. Further, the Lions drafted Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Hooker would have gone higher had he not suffered an ACL injury last year. However, it is likely that Goff will welcome the healthy competition and silence his critics.
Goff’s Supporting Cast: Coach Campbell’s Impenetrable Offensive Line and Amon-Ra St. Brown
Moreover, since arriving in Detroit, Head Coach Dan Campbell has placed significant emphasis on the offensive line. The team’s performance reflects this focus. One of the NFL’s top offensive lines belongs to the Lions. Jared Goff took the fewest sacks among all starting quarterbacks last season (taking just 23). As long as Coach Campbell is calling the shots, the offensive line will not be a concern for the Lions.
Amon-Ra St. Brown will also continue to help Goff improve the Lions offense. It is hard to believe 16 wide receivers were taken ahead of St. Brown in the 2021 NFL draft. While most fans will be unable to name those 16 wide receivers, St. Brown definitely can (and will). He uses that as fuel, and is now one of the best receivers in the league. His toughness and speed are at an elite level. The chemistry between him and Goff is dazzling to see. St. Brown will finish as the number one receiver for fantasy this year. He will also break Calvin Johnson’s single-season yardage record. The 23-year-old will be the first wide receiver in history to record 2,000 yards in a season. BOOK IT!
Detroit Lions Defensive Challenges
The Lions defense has consistently underperformed, landing them in the bottom five since 2020. In 2022, they selected Aidan Hutchinson with the second overall pick to amend their defensive line deficiencies. Like most rookies, Hutchinson had his fair share of highs and lows through his first season.
During the off-season, the Lions made significant free-agent signings to strengthen their weak secondary. Former Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who secured six interceptions in 2022, projects as a valuable contributor after signing for Detroit this off-season. He immediately fills in as a starting safety.
Dan Campbell is Perfect Leader Among Warriors
With all that said, the effectiveness of warriors often depends on their leaders and Detroit have a good one. Dan Campbell is an exceptional leader. At his initial press conference as the Head Coach of the Lions, he managed to win the Lions fandom over. Coach Campbell will ensure that his players always give their best effort and exhibit a fierce determination against their opponents.
It is understandable why the Lions’ performances are catching the attention of NFC North teams. Adding some nice pieces in free agency and making some bold picks in this year’s draft will pay off. The Lions should win their division with a record of 12-5, becoming the new Kings of the NFC North.
Main Image: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK
