NFL
By: Greg Rector
As usual, the jokes and derision from football fans kept going for the Detroit Lions in 2021. For one of the very few franchises that have never appeared in a Super Bowl, the Lions retooled under new head coach Dan Campbell who was awfully entertaining at the podium even when his Lions lost many close games in fact six of their losses were by one touchdown or less. Let’s look at the upcoming season for the team known as “One Pride.”
Detroit Lions 2021 Record (3-13-1) Missed the Playoffs
Offense
Prior to last season, the Lions acquired Jared Goff who fell out of favor in Los Angeles after having taken the Rams to a Super Bowl. No one was surprised the Lions were losing games, but putting the blame at Goff’s feet would be a mistake. The Lions did not have great weapons for Goff. Despite that, he was respectable with a 67.2% completion rate 19 TDs, and 8 interceptions. The surprise was Amon-Ra St. Brown who hauled 61 passes and scored 5 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. D’Andre Swift only played 9 games and veteran Jamaal Williams had to carry the load at running back. Well, thought of tight end TJ Hockenson missed 5 games also. So the Lions were short-handed far too often. The Lions busied themselves in free agency by signing WR DJ Clark (Jacksonville) on a one-year prove-it deal after an injury-filled 2021. If Clark plays well that gives Goff two good wide receiver targets until first-round pick Jameson Williams (Alabama) can return and provide the Lions with a true deep threat. Many believe Williams will return in November after his ACL in the National Championship game. To help Hockensen Detroit signed veteran tight end Devin Funchess also. The Lions’ offensive line played fairly well and with tackle Penei Sewell entering his second season the unit should be able to keep Goff upright after being sacked 35 times in 2021. Most of the sacks were coverage sacks and with the new targets, the Lions should be able to reduce that number.
Defense
This is where the Lions focused in a big way in the offseason. In free agency, they added cornerback Mike Hughes who played with the Chiefs in 2021. It was at the draft the Lions made their splash by drafting Edge Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan) second overall. Hutchinson has plenty of expectations being heaped upon him especially being a local. Joining Micahel Brockers, Alim McNeil, and Romeo Okwara on the defensive line. Detroit also drafted safety Kerby Joseph (Illinois) and an underrated thumper in linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (Oklahoma State) both of whom will add speed and tackling to the Lions’ defense. The question mark as has been since his rookie season is Jeffrey Okudah at the corner and will he ever play a complete season? That would go a long way to stabilizing the secondary. With the additions, the Lions’ defense should have more teeth than in 2021.
Outlook
I am certainly not going to predict a division title or the playoffs for Detroit in 2022. I will say though I like the direction of the organization and that’s a very rare occurrence for a team that is usually on the hunt for next year’s top draft pick. In 2022 though I see an improvement from being the last-place team in the NFC North. While Goff is never going to be in the “elite,” category of quarterbacks he should have enough talent to make the Lions’ offense better. Of course, that truly won’t occur until Jameson Williams is able to play. If they can keep their guys healthy on offense and the defense improves, instead of losing so many one-score games I can see the Lions winning 4 more games than they managed in 2021. Therefore I predict a 7 and 10 season in the Motor City. The Ford Field faithful will have more reasons to cheer this year than in many of those in their recent past.
