Hello NFL: Detriot is Back
Written By: Matthew McCracken
Sports Editor
The NFL season thus far is filled with unpredictable circumstances. The Buffalo Bills are the real deal, the Indianapolis Colts are defeated, and the Lions are serious playoff contenders. That’s right, the Detroit Lions, who went 0-16 a couple years back, are now atop their division and the league. To 99.9% of fans, this is surprising, but to me, it is just the right time.
The Lions have had early first round picks for years, making it easy to pick up star athletes like Ndamukong Suh, Calvin Johnson, and Matthew Stafford. Matthew Stafford, who is an elite NFL quarterback when he isn’t hurt, hasn’t been sacked once this entire year. The Lions are the only team in the league with that statistic.. Calvin Johnson has four TDs through week two of the season, catching anything in his vicinity.
Detroit went 6-10 last year, third in their NFC North Division. Suh and Johnson were both pro bowlers. Suh is the reason for the mindset of not accepting failure in Detroit. He single-handedly changed the defensive mindset of the Lions to get after the ball, hit hard and go until you hear the echo of the whistle. The defense has four interceptions, four sacks, and forced three fumbles in two games.
The Lion’s offense doesn’t just consist of two-ball between Stafford and Johnson. They are a pass heavy team, but make sure to establish the run, keeping opposing defenses on their toes. Jahvid Best has rushed 37 times for 112 yards in two games. A sub-par 3.5 average. Tack on only one touchdown with those stats. I realize these stats seem meaningless, but without establishing that run game, Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson wouldn’t get as open as they have been in the first couple of weeks.
What did I say? Nate Burleson? That’s right, Nate Burleson is not the number one receiver on the Lions, obviously, but is what every team needs. He is the Donald Driver of Detroit. He makes the catches others won’t go for. He picks up the dirty yards that a team needs to make those 10-plus down drives that exhaust opposing defenses.
I realize I’ve mentioned him plenty of times in above paragraphs, but Matthew Stafford is the man. One of the best rising quarterbacks in the league. Obviously, he isn’t on Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady’s level, but he is definitely taking the right path to reaching that caliber of a quarterback. Through two games, Stafford has completed 599 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
I’m not one to run numbers, but Stafford is on pace to throw for almost 4800 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. OK, OK, I’ll stop, that’s a little far-fetched, but you all get the point. The Detroit Lions are not the Lions of years past. They are here to play. And the best part of it is, other than you and others who read this column, nobody realizes it.
The Lions are right where they want to be: winning games without catching anybody’s eyes.
photo credit-google.com
