| The last two seasons haven't been pretty, but at | | | | the defensive side of the football. This unit finished |
| least the Detroit Lions appear to be headed in the | | | | last in the entire league in both scoring and total |
| right direction. After finishing the 2008 season at | | | | defense last season. That prompted the Lions to |
| 0-16, the Lions were able to record two victories | | | | spend their No. 2 overall pick on Suh. Few players |
| last year. After adding Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid | | | | have ever dominated the college game in the |
| Best via the draft, and Kyle Vanden Bosch and | | | | trenches the way Suh did for Nebraska last |
| Nate Burleson (among others) via free agency, | | | | season. The Lions hope he can pick up right |
| more improvement is expected to be on the | | | | where he left off. Suh will benefit from playing on |
| way. | | | | an upgraded line which will also feature Vanden |
| Offense: The Lions ranked No. 27 in the NFL in | | | | Bosch and Corey Williams. These additions will help |
| scoring offense last season, averaging only 16.4 | | | | the Lions put more heat on the quarterback, and |
| points per game. But with the talent that has | | | | that will help them do a better job of defending |
| been added, Detroit should be able to best that | | | | the pass. |
| number easily as long as Matthew Stafford | | | | Detroit ranked last in the league in pass defense in |
| continues to mature. | | | | 2009, allowing 265.6 yards per game. The Lions |
| Stafford endured some ups and downs, as you | | | | didn't see their lack of a pass rush as the only |
| might expect from a rookie, but all in all he put | | | | problem and decided to part ways with corners |
| together an impressive season. In 10 games, he | | | | Philip Buchanon and Anthony Henry. The Lions are |
| passed for 2,267 yards and 13 touchdowns with | | | | hoping that Chris Houston, Jonathan Wade, Dante |
| 20 interceptions. He really shined in a comeback | | | | Wesley and Amari Spievey will be able to step in |
| win over the Cleveland Browns when he passed | | | | and step up. |
| for 422 yards and five touchdowns. | | | | Second-year guys Louis Delmas and DeAndre |
| Stafford already has the luxury of throwing to | | | | Levy are players to watch. Delmas was arguably |
| one of the best young wide receivers in the | | | | Detroit's best defensive player as a rookie, and |
| game (Calvin Johnson), and now the speedy | | | | the Lions are very excited about the potential |
| Burleson gives him another big play option. In 14 | | | | Levy has shown. |
| games, Johnson made 67 catches for 984 yards | | | | Prediction: 4th NFC North - While I expect the |
| and five scores last season. In just 13 games, | | | | Lions to be better on both sides of the football, I |
| Burleson hauled in 63 passes for 812 yards and | | | | don't think they are ready to dig themselves out |
| three touchdowns for Seattle. | | | | of the NFC North cellar just yet. And lines makers |
| Kevin Smith has proven to be a very productive, | | | | agree, listing Detroit as a +2000 long shot to win |
| versatile back. Last season, he tallied 1,162 total | | | | the division. Be sure to check out my 2010 NFL |
| yards and five scores. And the running game will | | | | predictions to see which team I have winning the |
| only improve with the addition of Best. | | | | NFC North this season. |
| Defense: The Lions have the most work to do on | | | | |
