The Detroit Lions are headed toward the postseason, where they are among Super Bowl favorites. They already won more games than any other season in franchise history and it would be a disappointment if this team at least didn't make a deep postseason run.
Everyone knows who the stars and team leaders are. However, because of injuries, certain Lions players now have more important roles to play. How well they fare in their expanded roles will likely determine how far Detroit will go in the playoffs. Who are some of the under-the-radar X-factors for this team that can carry them to the Super Bowl?
Za'Darius Smith
Since being acquired at the trade deadline, Za'Darius Smith immediately became an important part of the Lions defense. After serious injuries to the defensive line, the veteran pass rusher has an increased importance to this team on that end of the field. In recent weeks, he has been playing the second-most snaps in the defensive end rotation behind John Paschal.
In these snaps, Smith has three sacks, seven QB hits, and two tackles for loss. On Pro Football Focus, he received a 69.7 defensive grade in six games.
The three-time Pro Bowler has more postseason experience than most of the Lions' defense. With four different teams, Smith has appeared in eight postseason games but consistently came up short.
This is his opportunity to finally win the Super Bowl which has eluded him in his impressive career. To do that, he has to elevate his game to the next level in the new year.
Brian Branch
The Lions are a much-improved defensive unit this season after struggling on that end of the field last season. In 2023, Detroit was the 23rd-ranked defense in the NFL, and this year, they are all the way up to seventh.
Their defensive backfield is a huge reason for that success. PFF ranks the Lions as a top-ten unit in coverage, the best unit in tackling, and sixth in overall defense. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph's performances have been particularly impressive.
Lions fans are very well aware of how elite of a defensive back Branch has been since being drafted last year. The rest of the fans and the media may not be aware of what the second-round pick out of Alabama is capable of.
After being a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate last season, Branch has taken his game to another level this season. Through 14 starts, he has four interceptions, seven tackles for loss, five QB hits, and a forced fumble while only allowing a 65.9 passer rating when targeted.
On PFF, he is graded as the seventh-best cornerback in the league but due to his versatility and ability to line up anywhere on the secondary, he is an even more crucial piece for this team.
If the Lions are going to punch above their weight amid all their defensive injuries, Branch will almost certainly have to play a huge part in that. His defensive playmaking and disruption will be a huge factor in Detroit's ability to slow down the elite playoff offenses they are going to face.
Jack Campbell
The Detroit Lions' linebacker rotation is completely decimated by injuries. Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin have all been out with injuries in recent weeks. One constant and bright spot in that rotation has been Jack Campbell.
The second-year player hasn't missed a game this season and has been playing every defensive snap for this team. At middle linebacker, Campbell has been one of the best in his position in the league. PFF grades him at 75.4 and as the tenth-best linebacker in the league.
This is a huge improvement for a player who has struggled at times as a first-round rookie and wasn't an immediate starter.
What the Lions' linebacker rotation will look like in the playoffs is still unclear. How many of their injured starters will return remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: as long as Campbell is manning the middle, Lions fans will feel pretty good about their chances.
Jahmyr Gibbs
Another second-year player who has reached new heights this season is star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The talented rusher will get all the carries he can handle after David Montgomery's injury. We saw the first glimpse of that in Week 16 against the Bears when Gibbs saw a season-high 23 carries. With those attempts, he ran for 109 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches and 45 yards in the passing game.
For the season, Gibbs is up to 1,156 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 440 receiving yards and three receiving TDs.
Against the Bears, Craig Reynolds and Jermar Jefferson also played limited snaps and had seven carries between the two of them. However, it's hard to imagine them having a big role in the postseason. Therefore, the Lions will depend on their star playmaker to run the ball.
Gibbs showed that he was more than capable of doing that in last season's playoffs. In three games, he rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns, averaging five yards per carry. With Montgomery out of the picture, the former first-round pick will play an even more important role for this dynamic Lions offense.
Tim Patrick
Once again, the Detroit Lions have one of the most dynamic offenses in the league under OC Ben Johnson and head coach Dan Campbell. They have put up more points than any team in the league and arguably have the best passing offense in the league. They put up the second-most passing yards and passing touchdowns in the league while averaging the third-most net yards gained per pass attempt with 7.7.
Accomplishing this without having the most elite offensive talent in the league is certainly impressive. Jared Goff has been a top-ten QB in the league since joining the Lions but he has some limitations to his game. Amon-Ra St. Brown is obviously one of the best wide receivers in the league and he is in the midst of another All-Pro caliber season with 1,126 yards and 11 touchdowns so far. Jameson Williams has established himself as a solid deep threat capable of making big plays.
Outside of those two, however, the Lions lack depth in their WR room. That is why Tim Patrick is one of the biggest X-factors for this team heading into the playoffs.
After missing the previous two seasons with a torn ACL and torn Achilles, respectively, Patrick has made an impressive comeback this season. The Lions initially signed the 31-year-old to their practice squad before promoting him to the active roster, and Patrick surpassed all expectations with his play. He played a crucial role in the Packers win in Week 14 when he scored two touchdowns.
The Lions will turn to him as an end-zone target in the postseason. One of the best stories in the NFL this season, Patrick has firmly established himself as the WR3 on this team. With teams focused on slowing down St.Brown and Williams, the veteran wideout should have plenty of opportunities to go up against weaker defenders. His production will be an under-the-radar aspect of the Lions' postseason chances.