ESPN doesn’t have faith in the Detroit Lions but you should

A recent report has surfaced suggesting the Detroit Lions have a much better chance to pick within the top-five at next years’ draft rather than making the playoffs this season.

It’s the time of year that these suggestions start to rumble around between the top news outlets, nationally syndicated radio/TV programs to ruffle the feathers of fans.  Quite often they come up with ludicrous takes as they compete for ratings against one another in the thick of the off-season.  Many of these national programs are not very kind to the Detroit Lions.  They gravitate to the L.A, and New York markets along with directing plenty of their coverage to the Aaron Rodgers‘ and the Tom Bradys‘ of the world.

Recently, Vegas has placed the Detroit Lions under/over win total at 6.5–I’d choose the over.  The team regressed last season under their newly appointed head coach Matt Patricia going 6-10 after back-to-back 9-win years with Jim Caldwell at the helm.  Don’t panic; this isn’t another negative post; the Lions are forming their roster to fit the new offensive and primarily defensive scheme.  For many fans, the tank has run dry of patience as the team continues to look for a playoff appearance, not just a ticket to the dance it’s time for the organization to make some noise in the postseason.

Instead of being terribly negative all the time let’s see how this plays out.  The Lions made an offseason splash by landing a tremendous, talented defensive-end in Trey Flowers.  He, of course, understands the style of defense Patricia is implementing in Detroit as he played for him in New England.  Many experts penciled in Flowers as the top free agent available heading into the free agency period — a tremendous addition to the Lions front-seven.

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Another former Patriot will join the Lions; Danny Amendola will play a more significant role as a leader than statistically for the Lions.  A veteran receiver who thrives as a security blanket for his quarterbacks, running those crossing routes through heavy traffic in the middle of the field.  Marvin Jones along with Kenny Golladay will be the focal point of the downfield passing attack with a heavy dose of both T.J. Hockenson & Jesse James.

Although the teams’ O-line leaves us with some question marks, especially at the right-guard position, Kerryon Johnson has the potential to have a breakout season as the Detroit Lions lead back.  Last year he was able to show flashes of explosiveness, but with an emphasis put on ball control, expect newly appointed OC Darrell Bevell to unleash a balanced attack on offense.

That being said, in an article published on Mlive.com, written by Josh Slagter, the computers are not kind to the Lions;

"ESPN’s FPI has the Lions stuck in the NFC North basement again, hovering around a 7-9 season and having a better shot at landing a top-five pick than making the postseason.According to the simulations, Detroit has:Just a 17 percent chance of making the playoffs, ahead of only eight other teamsAn 8 percent chance to win the division, with the Bears leading the way (36 percent)A less than 1 percent chance to win the Super BowlAn average win total of 7.0, which is around Las Vegas’ projectionA 24 percent chance at a top-five pick in the 2020 NFL draft, and a 4 percent shot at No. 1"

I don’t know about you, but I hate this.  The computers are right plenty of the time, but a lot of the data is sure to be accumulated from the results of last year.  The computer has the top-four Super Bowl contending teams’ to be the K.C Chiefs, New England Patriots, L.A Rams and the New Orleans Saints.

New England is still New England, and we hate them for it, but they’ve lost their starting left tackle along with one of the best all-around tight-ends to ever play the game.  They seem to find a way to make it to the dance year after year playing in one of the historically weaker divisions of all-time. They are undoubtedly still the favorites in their division.  Kansas City has the best young, dynamic QB in the game but they’ve lost Hunt and now more than likely Tyreek Hill, I expect them to take a step back.  The Rams play in another weak division, they will be the heavy favorites out West. New Orleans remains a contender behind the future Hall of Famer at QB along with Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas.

For the NFC North, all eyes are on the Chicago Bears and that stout defense.  Aaron Rodgers remains one of the best in the business.  I think Green Bay will be the team to beat in the North although there is no reason why the North shouldn’t be a four-team race.

It’s a strong division, and with the recent additions to the Detroit Lions, it finally could be the year they surprise the league.  The rest of the league always discredits the Lions; this year might finally be the year the team makes some noise and can win a few games no-one predicts them to win.