Could Lions threaten Chiefs in Week 1?

Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports activities

Though it could possibly be a lure and feels unnatural to jot down, at this second, the Lions are the choose to win the NFC North in 2023. Detroit barely missed out on the playoffs final season however despatched the Packers residence after defeating Inexperienced Bay at Lambeau Area in the season finale.

Offensively, the Lions had been lights out final season, averaging 26 factors per sport, and there could also be an uptick this season. Detroit continued to assemble some intriguing offensive items round Jared Goff by drafting Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta and signing David Montgomery to enhance Gibbs.

Gibbs could have been a attain, however the Lions really feel that the previous Alabama working again will convey a brand new aspect to the offense.

Protection was a serious downside for Detroit final season, particularly the secondary, which gave up a mean of 245 passing yards per sport.

The Lions patched that up by signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Cameron Sutton, and Emmanuel Moseley earlier than drafting Alabama security Brian Department in the second spherical.

Huge receiver Jameson Williams will probably be suspended for the primary six video games of the 2023 common season after violating the NFL playing coverage earlier this offseason. Williams has not been a significant factor for Detroit since being drafted eleventh general in the 2022 draft. The previous Alabama wideout suffered a hamstring damage in coaching camp and is probably going going to overlook the remainder of the preseason. A troublesome break for a participant nonetheless looking for his footing in the NFL.

In Williams’ absence, Detroit is lacking a real subject stretcher, however Goff and the offense must be completely high quality with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Gibbs, and LaPorta main the way in which in the receiving sport.

The Lions are a well-liked choose for followers in search of a darkish horse Tremendous Bowl contender out of the NFC