NFC North Predictions for 2023: Vikings roar while Lions cower
By Adam Patrick
4th Place in the NFC North
Detroit Lions
- Final Record: 9-8
- Division Record: 1-5
That's right, the Detroit Lions will be at the bottom of the division, right where they belong. All of this offseason hype has been just that: hype.
It's understandable to get excited about a team that finished the previous season strong. But did everyone just forget about Detroit's past? Did everyone forget that the Lions are one of the most dysfunctional franchises in NFL history?
Sure, Detroit had one of the top-scoring offenses in the league last year, and yes, they will still have quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown leading the way. But that unit has gone through a lot of changes in the last few months, and they're going to be counting on a pair of rookies in tight end Sam LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs to pick up the slack.
Sorry, but it's hard to feel excited about an offense that is one injury away from a 33-year-old Marvin Jones Jr. or Josh Reynolds taking over as the team's No. 1 wide receiver.
Then, on the defensive side of the ball, the Lions completely revamped their secondary with the veteran additions of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Emmanuel Moseley, and Cameron Sutton to go along with rookie safety Brain Branch, who they drafted in the second round this year.
Detroit also used one of their two 2023 first-round draft picks on former Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell, who should help improve what was a terrible run defense last season.
But here's the biggest question. Why should we expect the Lions' defense to improve under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn in his third year with the team after the unit ranked 28th or worse in the NFL in points allowed in each of his first two seasons with the franchise?
Vikings fans know all too well that a defensive scheme can be just as important, if not more, to the success of that unit out on the field. So until Detroit's defense shows some real progress under Glenn, there's no reason to think things are going to drastically change for them on that side of the ball.