Detroit Lions’ Expectations Going into the 2024 Season
It is a lot easier to become an excellent team than to stay an excellent team. Within a season, the Detroit Lions became champions of the NFC North and made it to the NFC Championship game. The trials and tribulations going into next season will include the fact that the Detroit Lions have a target on their back. Upon losing that NFC Championship game, Dan Campbell’s speech made it clear that the Detroit Lions were going to have to work even harder this season in order to see the same success that they did last year. He said, “Look, I told those guys this may have been our only shot… It’s gonna be twice as hard to get back to this point next year.” Dan Campbell understands the new standard that the Detroit Lions have set that should be met every year, starting this year.
Specific Expectations
The Detroit Lions have never been considered a threat to other teams. Last season, that changed. As the chemistry between Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown has grown, so has their offense. Jared Goff threw 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 119 passes for 1515 yards and 10 touchdowns. The offense is expected to have the same amount of production as last year, if not more, this year. The defense should absolutely improve this year. During the draft, the Detroit Lions decided to draft two defensive backs in their first two picks in the draft. Terrion Arnold, an excellent defensive back from Alabama, was drafted 24th overall by the Detroit Lions. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., a standout defensive back from Missouri, was drafted 61st overall by the Detroit Lions. These were both excellent draft choices that directly addressed the Detroit Lions’ pass defense problem. Last season, the Detroit Lions’ pass defense gave up 4562 passing yards, which was the fourth most in the NFL. With these defensive adjustments, the Detroit Lions’ defense is expected to grow tremendously this season. The defensive hiccups that were seen in the 2024 season should not happen. If the Detroit Lions make it to the NFC Championship like they did last year, there should be no reason why they would blow a lead like they did this year to the San Francisco 49ers after the Detroit Lions were leading 17-0.
General Expectations
Sports Illustrated has picked the Detroit Lions as their estimate to win the Super Bowl this year. It is safe to say that the team will be under constant pressure this season not only to get back to the NFC Championship but to finish even stronger. The Detroit Lions are expected to go further than they ever have. With the defensive adjustments that they have made and the offensive production that they have seen, they should be able to meet these expectations. It is a lot easier to become an excellent team than to stay an excellent team. This season will allow people to see if the Detroit Lions can stay an excellent team or if they will fall.
