Detroit Lions 2024 Season Preview
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions finally realized their potential as an elite team in the NFC in 2023. Detroit went 12-5 and made it to the NFC Championship Game, before blowing a 17-point lead to the 49ers. Despite the disappointing end to the season, they are set up for long term success.
Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson decided to stay put instead of taking a Head Coach position elsewhere. During Johnson’s time in Detroit, he has put together one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL. Maintaining that chemistry and system going into a year where they are expected to improve will be huge.
The Lions did not lose too many key players, but there are some worth mentioning. WR Josh Reynolds, IOL Jonah Jackson, and DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson signed elsewhere. The team released SAF Tracy Walker and CB Cam Sutton, and EDGE Romeo Okwara retired.
The team did well to build around an already solid roster in the offseason. They traded for Buccaneers’ CB Carlton Davis, who had a down year, but should not be expected to continue that downward trajectory. They also brought in CB Amik Robertson, EDGE Marcus Davenport, IOL Kevin Zietler, and DT DJ Reader.
In the draft, they attacked their weakest positions. They spent their first two draft picks on cornerback, taking Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. All of a sudden, their cornerback room is deep.
Detroit is loaded with talent, but they are in an increasingly tough division. If they do not capitalize on their winning window soon, the other teams will catch up or even surpass them.
The Lions start the season at home in a NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Rams and then the Buccaneers, then on the road against the Cardinals, and back home for Week 4 Monday Night Football against the Seahawks. The Lions start the year 3-1.
They have an awful Week 5 bye before two straight road games against the Cowboys and Vikings before closing October at home against the Titans. Detroit goes 2-1 in October.
They start November with two road games against the Packers and Texans, then host the Jaguars, play the Colts, and host the Bears on Thanksgiving Day. An extremely tough month, the Lions go 4-1 in November.
The Lions host the Packers and Bills in weeks 14 and 15 before playing the Bears in Week 16. They close out the season by going on the road for a Monday Night Football matchup against the 49ers and then come home to host the Vikings. I have the Lions going 3-2 in another tough month.
I have the Lions pegged to go 12-5 this season. Another great season for Detroit under Dan Campbell will vault them to the top of the favorites for a Super Bowl Champion. They will need to prove they can beat the top teams in the conference before I go on to say they can win 13 or 14 games.
2023 Record: 12-5
2024 Prediction: 12-5
