This Could Be The Year

   This could be the year the Detroit Lions reach the Superbowl. Yes, that's right; the same Lions that went win-less just years ago now have a chance to flip the script. Despite playing in what is arguably the toughest division in football (NFC North), The Lions have a bonafide chance to earn a spot as the NFC's representative in Super Bowl XLVII. Going 10-6 in the regular season last year marked the team's first winning season since 2000 and first ten win season since 1995. Since such accomplishments, they have had a swagger about them rarely seen before in the eyes of Lion football players. Last season sparked confidence in the hungry bunch. That confidence harnessed with improving talent in Detroit, should have football fans in the state of Michigan "ready for some football!"The team even earned another Monday night football contest in Chicago this season (week seven). Until last year, you'd probably be joking or examining the drought aloof from Monday night games for Detroit if you put the Lions in the same sentence as "Monday night football." Today no such jokes are necessary. There's no way around it; the Lions are finally both good and fun to watch.
     After last year, the Lions high-powered pass-heavy offense gained the respect of both fans and opposing teams. This year, the production on the offensive side of the ball should continue to do nothing but flourish under the leadership of Matthew Stafford. He is entering his fourth season and is only the fourth quarterback of all time to pass for over 5,000 yards in a single season (2011).
     The former Georgia Bulldog can put up such alluring numbers because he has one of the best receiving corps in the league, led by the best player in the league, Calvin Johnson. Nate Burleson and Titus Young have the skills to compliment Megatron very well on the gridiron. Tight ends Brandon Bettigrew and Tony Sheffler are also proven pass catchers as well as the x factors of the offense. When they are catching passes, it usually means the team is moving vertically, straight down the field. Their ability to not only posses great hands but also block should free up space for the running game, which is the team's number one question mark.
     Since Barry Sanders left, Detroit has not had a consistent running game...nor do they need one. With the potency of the Stafford-led passing attack, the Lion's need nothing but a respectable ground game. It needs not be dominant, but simply must keep defenses honest in order to give Stafford more leverage with play action fakes. Now that Jahvid Best is out at least six weeks due to a serious concussion, Kevin Smith, Mikel Leshoure, and Keiland Williams must do it by committee. The good news is they can run behind an offensive line which has a great deal of experience playing together. The line on the other side of the ball, however, will be the one getting all the hype.

     Detroit's formidable defensive line will not be measured this year by their talent, but by their discipline. Their talent helped steer the team to the playoffs last year. Making the playoffs, nevertheless, is not the goal. The goal is the Super Bowl for the men in blue and black. Last season Detroit had the most talented D-line in the league. They also had the most immature D-line in the league. The extremely talented defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh made the press more for his penalties and suspensions than he did for his play. Unfortunately for Detroit, it appears fellow defensive tackle Nick Fairley is following along similar footsteps, already having been arrested twice this off-season. Veterans Kyle Vandenbosh and Corey Williams have a job to do in leading the younger big fellas in the middle. If they stay grounded and focused on nothing but playing disciplined football, those four in tandem with fifth year defensive end Cliff Avril and young play-maker Willie Young will be a force to be reckoned with. While the secondary has play-makers like Louis Delmas to reek havok, the defense goes as the D-line goes. If their mental toughness can match their physical toughness, the defensive line should lead a defense hungry to assist its offense. If that side of the ball is anywhere nearly as productive as the offense, then the Lions might find themselves playing for the Vince Lombardi trophy in New Orleans on February 3, 2013.