Many people are high on the Detroit Lions this season, and they’re the favorites to finish first in the NFC North.
After losing six of their first seven games in 2022, they finished with a flurry, winning eight of their last 10 games and coming very close to snagging the final playoff spot in the conference.
Analyst Michael Lombardi appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and pointed out how strong the Lions’ offensive line is and how it allows quarterback Jared Goff to play his natural game and be productive.
“Jahmyr Gibbs is gonna do everything for that Lions offense..
When Jared Goff is protected he’s really good and the Lions play to his strengths”@mlombardiNFL #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/9eZBr4M1M1
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 18, 2023
Goff has never been thought of as an elite quarterback, but Lombardi pointed out the fact that he took the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl during the 2018 season, and he did so partly because he had good protection.
He had one of his best seasons yet in 2022, as he threw for 4,438 yards and 29 touchdowns while throwing just seven interceptions.
At wide receiver, Detroit has the young and productive Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Lombardi said that rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs will excel this season.
At the same time, the reporter expressed concern for a Lions defense that ranked 28th in points allowed and last in total yards given up last year.
But the fact that the rest of the NFC North will be weak and that the entire conference lacks depth will undoubtedly help Detroit.
The franchise hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016, and it hasn’t won a playoff game since all the way back in the 1991 season, but perhaps both streaks will end this winter thanks to its young and promising roster.
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