Detroit Lions fans greatest optimism is the idea that there is always next year. As a loyal Lions fan, I find myself often saying "they'll be good next year." After they won their final four games of last season, I was in the same mindset. I had hope for the 2011-2012 season. Though I say this each year, I think it is finally time. Detroit fans prepare yourselves. This could be the year the Lions reach respectability and find themselves in the playoffs.
Obviously the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are favorites to win the division title. In no way am I saying the Lions will take the division crown from the Green Machine. They won't have to. Thank the good Lord for wild cards. The Lions should be able to get second in the NFC north and claim one of the two wild card spots.
The Bears cannot protect their quarterback, which is exciting as a Lions fan. I look forward to watching D-town take on Da Bears for this exact reason. Chicago's puny wall of an offensive line is no match for Suh and company. Suh, the beast who leads the NFL's toughest defensive line, should rack up some more late hit penalties on poor Jay Cutler. With the strength of Detroit's front four, and the Bears O-line's inabilitiy to do anything right , Detroit should be able to win playing just their defensive line. Let Delmas and the secondary take some days off. Vanden Bosch and Suh are mean enough to win the game themselves against that Bears O-line that already gave up nine sacks in its first pre-season game.
The Vikings, moreover, don't have the chemistry to make noise in the division like they have in the past. After drafting Christian Ponder to play quarterback, they brought in Donovan McNabb. This is not Culpepper, nor Brett Favre. Leaving the Eagles was the worst possible move for McNabb's career. He may be tough but he sure is old. His prime is in the rearview mirror. It will take him until mid-season before he and his new receivers gain comfortability with one another anyways. That is, if he is still their QB. Not to mention the Vike's best weapon, Adrian Peterson, has a bad memory. He often forgets to take the ball with him. AD can keep dropping the ball all day. Though Peterson is the most explosive back in football, he's also the riskiest. Jahved Best and Maurice Morris do not have his skillset, but they sure don't fumble like AD does. They are efficient in protecting the ball, which is what the new Lions are all about. Yes I said the "new" Lions because I believe Schwartz has them turning the corner to a successful future.
The reason they have won their last four regular season games and the first two pre-season games of 2011 is because they have been playing with discipline. Detroit will have less penalties, less turnovers, and more efficient play to go with a much improved depth chart on both sides of the ball. Not to mention Stafford is healthy and he still has the Megatron. Thats right, don't forget about Calvin Johnson, who plans on having his best season ever. Keep those hopes up and those fingers crossed Detroiter's, because the Lions are ready to roar into the playoffs this year!
Obviously the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are favorites to win the division title. In no way am I saying the Lions will take the division crown from the Green Machine. They won't have to. Thank the good Lord for wild cards. The Lions should be able to get second in the NFC north and claim one of the two wild card spots.
The Bears cannot protect their quarterback, which is exciting as a Lions fan. I look forward to watching D-town take on Da Bears for this exact reason. Chicago's puny wall of an offensive line is no match for Suh and company. Suh, the beast who leads the NFL's toughest defensive line, should rack up some more late hit penalties on poor Jay Cutler. With the strength of Detroit's front four, and the Bears O-line's inabilitiy to do anything right , Detroit should be able to win playing just their defensive line. Let Delmas and the secondary take some days off. Vanden Bosch and Suh are mean enough to win the game themselves against that Bears O-line that already gave up nine sacks in its first pre-season game.
The Vikings, moreover, don't have the chemistry to make noise in the division like they have in the past. After drafting Christian Ponder to play quarterback, they brought in Donovan McNabb. This is not Culpepper, nor Brett Favre. Leaving the Eagles was the worst possible move for McNabb's career. He may be tough but he sure is old. His prime is in the rearview mirror. It will take him until mid-season before he and his new receivers gain comfortability with one another anyways. That is, if he is still their QB. Not to mention the Vike's best weapon, Adrian Peterson, has a bad memory. He often forgets to take the ball with him. AD can keep dropping the ball all day. Though Peterson is the most explosive back in football, he's also the riskiest. Jahved Best and Maurice Morris do not have his skillset, but they sure don't fumble like AD does. They are efficient in protecting the ball, which is what the new Lions are all about. Yes I said the "new" Lions because I believe Schwartz has them turning the corner to a successful future.
The reason they have won their last four regular season games and the first two pre-season games of 2011 is because they have been playing with discipline. Detroit will have less penalties, less turnovers, and more efficient play to go with a much improved depth chart on both sides of the ball. Not to mention Stafford is healthy and he still has the Megatron. Thats right, don't forget about Calvin Johnson, who plans on having his best season ever. Keep those hopes up and those fingers crossed Detroiter's, because the Lions are ready to roar into the playoffs this year!
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