Despite their early season struggles in 2022, the Detroit Lions were able to bounce back to accrue a 9-8 record. Consequently, it resulted in an unexpected run toward the playoffs that excited the Detroit fan base. Furthermore, that enthusiasm has carried over into 2023. So much so, that the organization sold all of the season tickets available. It remains to be seen whether the team can perform up to expectations and get the results they achieved the second half of last season.
In order to repeat the performance of last year, it’s imperative that quarterback Jared Goff build on his lights out numbers from a year ago. Though his stats were some of the best of his career, is it something he can duplicate, or was it a flash in the pan. If he reverts back to his performance of 2021, when he only had 19 touchdowns and threw 8 interceptions, the results for this team will be quite underwhelming. Generating multiple stellar seasons is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish in professional sports, therefore, the chances of a disappointing season are quite high. Though another excellent season is possible, it would be prudent to temper expectations.
Another aspect that should give fans pause about how successful this team can be, is the relative inexperience of the receiving corps. To begin with, wide receiver Chase Cota has had 6 receptions for 69 yards and one touchdown so far this preseason, through 2 games. In addition, Dylan Drummond only had 4 receptions for 41 yards with no touchdowns in the same time frame. Perhaps, one of the better performances came from Marvin Jones, who had 46 receptions, but only had 529 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022. Obviously, we need to see more from the wide receiver position, in order to attain the desired goal for the 2023 campaign, a playoff appearance.
Defensively in 2023, the Lions need to improve in almost every facet of the game. Last season saw the team give up 25 points per game, you can’t win many games by simply attempting to out score the opponent. This team has to do what it takes to stop their foe from putting points on the board. This means improving sack numbers, a stat in which they ranked in the middle of pack in 2022. This means completing every tackle, and pursuing the quarterback more often. When all of these things occur, more success won’t be far behind.
Is this the year the Lions finally put it all together, and make the playoffs for the first time in years? The pundits and the fans think so. It is important to remember we have been here before, only to be sorely disappointed by the end of the year. If the team is to change the fortunes of their lackluster history, all aspects of the game must be executed flawlessly. Are the Detroit Lions up to the task? We shall see.
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