Off The Endangered List

Male Lion by RawPixel

To Become Contender, Lions’ Defense Needed Complete Turnover

One third of the way through the NFL season, the Detroit Lions look like contenders. After Sunday’s win over a tough Tampa Bay team, they are tied for the best record in the NFL. Compare that to their record in the last decade – from 2010 to 2019 – which was an uninspiring 77 – 98 – 1. Only once in that period did they string two winning seasons back-to-back. Barely. In both 2016 and 2017 they went 9 – 7, but only because the Packers sat Aaron Rodgers and gifted them the last game of 2017. During that dismal decade, fans rarely felt like the Lions had the pieces needed to make the playoffs and be in the hunt.

This season, however, the Lions continue to put those discouraging years behind them. They started by toughing out a win at Kansas City and have improved each week since – even though more key players have had to sit with injuries. The offseason break did not sap the virility they learned in the second half of 2022. With nine upcoming games against opponents who don’t have a winning record, they have a good opportunity to practice the habits of winning until it becomes muscle memory.

Photos cropped.

Coaches of the 2010’s: 

Jim Swartz

Jim Caldwell

Matt Patricia