The Detroit Lions are still looking for a dubious NFL streak of 28 consecutive years without winning a playoff game – their last playoff win was in the 1991 NFC Divisional Round. By deleting a particular season, it appears that streak it will continue.
Detroit has a head coach on the hot seat in Matt Patricia, who has the franchise in many directions and is failing to establish a clear path. The Lions fired Jim Caldwell for 9-7, but failed to win more than nine games combine in the two years Patricia has been there.
There is some hope for Lions fans in 2020, as the team competed for a playoff spot at 3-3-1 in November before Matthew Stafford – in the middle of an MVP caliber season – suffered a fractured tailbone in his returned and was lost for the season. Detroit has not won a game since, and ended the year on a losing streak of nine games.
With a few offseason additions – including more former Patriots in Jamie Collins and Danny Shelton – and a concept class produced by Jeff Okudah and D’Andre Swift, there is hope Detroit can compete in the NFC North. The Lions are projected to finish again in the division’s basement and are closer to earning the no. 1 pick, which leads to low expectations.
Will 2020 still be a long season in Detroit? Here are three bold predictions for the Lions this year.
1. Andre Swift drives for 1000 yards in rookie season
The Lions beat Swift with their first pick in the second round (No. 35 overall), a selection they were not allowed to pass. Swift is that talented and can change the dynamics of the Lions offense, even if teams are several seasons away from the ground game.
Detroit was just 16th in rushing attempts last season, but that’s thanks to the injury of Kerryon Johnson, which shocked offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell to find a competitive ground game with Bo Scarbrough and Ty Johnson. That will not be a problem with Swift and Johnson, as Swift will eventually become the No. 1 running back early in the season.
Once Swift gets the lion’s share (no pun intended) of the wears, Detroit’s crime will have a much better appearance. The Lions have enough passing weapons in Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola and TJ Hockinson to open the field for Swift, who need to thrive – even if Detroit has some questions about the offensive line on guard.
Sixteen-nine running backs have rushed nearly 1,000 yards in their rookie season and Philip Lindsay, Kareem Hunt and Jordan Howard are the only non-back-backs to have performed since 2016. Swift will have an uphill battle with a limited training camp (COVID-19) and carries a stroke, but will step up when he becomes the primary ball carrier.
Getting 1000 yards is hard, but Swift has the talent to do it.
2. Kenny Golladay leads the league in touchdown catches – again
For NFL fans who were unaware, Golladay led the league with 11 touchdown catches last season. Golladay was able to achieve the feat with Jeff Driskel and David Blough throwing a football at him for the last seven games of the year.
So why can Golladay not defend his title, especially since Matthew Stafford is healthy and history states that he will play all 16 games in a season again (Stafford missed a start last season for the first time since 2010). Golladay’s 11 touchdown catches were the lowest for a league leader since Wes Chandler in 1982 (and that was a strike-short season) and the lowest. ea for a season 16 game.
Saying Golladay can repeat IS fat, even though he’s one of the best deep ball receivers in the game and a perfect downfield threat for Stafford in Bevell’s system (think Sidney Rice with the Vikings). The last time the NFL had a repeat leader in touchdown catches was Terrell Owens in 2001 and 2002, so the task will be monumental for Golladay.
In a league with Juilo Jones, DeAndre Hopkins, and Michael Thomas, the chances of repeating Golladay are long. If the red sun goals Golladay’s go over Marvin Jones, he will be able to repeat.
3. Matt Patricia does not last the season
Patricia’s future in Detroit is bleak, as he sits with Jackson Jaguars coach Doug Marrone as the two head coaches who are not expected to return after the season. Detroit is not expected to compete for the division title yet for a playoff key, making it even harder for Patricia to retain his job. Is a six-win season really enough to keep Patricia, who is just 9-22-1 in two seasons? I doubt that.
If the Lions are to be cut to the last spot in early December, chances are they will cut ties with Patricia and get a head start in finding their next head coach – see Washington Football Team with Ron Rivera. Detroit unfortunately has a better chance of getting the no. 1 general choice to land then to win the division.
The Lions to do have talent, enough that a .500 season and an outside shot at a playoff key is quite possible. Unfortunately, Patricia has done nothing to make that convincing – especially with his reputation with previous players. Good chance he won’t last the year.
