Coming into the 2023 NFL season, the Detroit Lions were getting a lot of buzz as a team that could have a breakout campaign, as it seemed like everything was coming together with quarterback Jared Goff leading the charge and head coach Dan Campbell calling the shots.
Although teams with a past like the Lions tend not to do well with expectations like those to start a season, Detroit flourished, winning the NFC North on its way to reaching the NFC Championship Game.
Unfortunately for the Lions, they lost to the San Francisco 49ers, as they couldn’t get to the Super Bowl despite taking a sizeable lead into the second half.
Even though the season ended in disappointment, the Lions have high hopes of taking another step forward during the upcoming 2024 NFL campaign, as this offseason they were able to improve on defense, which was arguably their biggest weakness.
Trevor Sikkema of PFF recently made an appearance on “Up & Adams” and said he believes the Lions will be the 49ers’ toughest competition in the NFC this season.
“Where’s the weakness with this Lions team? For as stacked as the 49ers are … it just kinda feels like the Lions year,” Sikkema said.
.@PFF‘s Trevor Sikkema says the biggest NFC CHALLENGER to the 49ers is the… 🦁 🔊
“Where’s the weakness with this Lions team? For as stacked as the 49ers are… it just kinda feels like the Lions year.” @TampaBayTre @heykayadams @Lions #Onepride pic.twitter.com/hBfMUB2A2e
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 29, 2024
The Lions will be under pressure heading into Week 1, as the team again is facing high expectations, much like the 49ers.
It’ll be interesting to see which one of these NFC heavyweights comes out on top, or if another team in the conference emerges and vanquishes them both.
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