It’s weird even seeing Detroit Lions and playoffs in the same sentence. The Detroit Lions have only made it to the postseason three times in the last two decades. They have not won a playoff game since 1991, and their winning percentage since the AFL-NFL merger is the third worst of any franchise. Detroit might not be making the postseason anytime soon either given the talent on the other three teams in the NFC North.
Will the Detroit Lions Make the Playoffs in 2019?
Yes +398
No -587
Odds Analysis
While Chicago, Green Bay, and Minnesota all have around the same betting odds to win the NFC North, Detroit is the outsider. The Lions got off to an ominous start last season, getting blown out 48-17 by the New York Jets in their opener, and they eventually finished 6-10. However, they were able to play spoiler for one of their rivals, as their two wins over Green Bay helped keep the Packers out of the playoffs.
Breaking Down Detroit’s Offense
Matt Stafford has been an above average quarterback this decade, but nothing more. Stafford threw for at least 4,000 yards from 2011 to 2017, yet his production has taken a dip since Calvin Johnson retired a few seasons ago. He is coming off his worst season since 2010 entering this year.
Stafford will at least have a healthy receiving corps again. Marvin Jones missed half of last season, and his injury combined with the Lions trading away Golden Tate meant that the Lions didn’t have many quality receivers for Stafford to target. That led to Kenny Golladay emerging as a deep threat, and this unit could post some good numbers with Danny Amendola joining alongside Jones and Golladay.
There is another new target for Stafford to use in the passing game too. Detroit spent a top ten pick on tight end TJ Hockenson, and the Lions are going to incorporate his skillset in their game plans every week. It was clear that Detroit missed Eric Ebron last season, so the Lions also brought in Jesse James to revamp the position.
A revamped running game should help this offense. The Lions haven’t had a great running back since Barry Sanders hung up his cleats, but Kerryon Johnson might be the real deal. Johnson showed a ton of potential as a rookie, and he could be the long-term answer at running back.
Breaking Down Detroit’s Defense
Matt Patricia was brought in to improve the defense after his time as the defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, but this side of the ball didn’t get better last year. The Lions finished 28th in the league in defense per DVOA, so they need to improve if they are to contend for a spot in the playoffs.
The defensive line should be a strength. Detroit spent a lot of money to sign Trey Flowers from New England and Damon Harrison from the New York Giants, and Patricia is hoping these big men solidify the front. A’Shawn Robinson is entering a contract year too, so he should be plenty motivated to produce after three subpar years.
Detroit’s linebacking corps took a hit when starting linebacker Jarrad Davis went down with a high-ankle sprain in the Lions’ last preseason game, so rookie Jahlani Tavai will be thrust into the starting lineup. Davis is expected to miss at least a few games while recovering.
The secondary figures to be a league average unit, but Darius Slay is a solid cornerback that can be left on an island for stretches.
Prediction
While the Lions might be better in 2019, there is still a gap between Detroit and every other team in the division. It’s going to be very tough for the Lions to make the playoffs this year.
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