The Detroit Lions may have lost to the New Orleans Saints in the first NFC Wild Card game of the 2011-12 season, but if you watched the game, or any part of the regular season, the Lions have nothing to be disappointed about. Sure, they will have to watch the rest of the Super Bowl playoffs this year, but if you’re a Lions fan next year may be something special. The team has the right weapons to compete in the NFC and here is why.
Stating the obvious for sure, but the Calvin Johnson & Matthew Stafford model works. Johnson is making 200 yard receiving days a standard. He is an unreal force that no secondary seems to be able to defend against. The 2012-13 NFL Season will see both Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure return from injury, making the backfield crowded, but very competitive. The running game will need to be game planned by opposing teams next year, which will only open up their strength, passing.
One sided offensive NFL teams are fun to watch, but rarely will they last long in a playoff run. That was not the case for Lions this year. They have a defense! They have a very good defense. So what was that thing that prevented the Lions from a first round bye and a deeper run towards the prize?
Lack of discipline. Maybe the Lions are not used to success. Maybe they don’t know how to handle being a talented football team. Bottom line is they just need some maturity. The penalties and lack of attention to the finer details certainly cost the Lions this year. If the team (hmmm, Coach Jim Schwartz) can effectively address this and eliminate the senseless errors from the culture next year, you will see a team that can hang with the Packers and Saints for 60 minutes.
So, motor city fans get your Detroit Lions flags flying. You are going to need them to cheer your team on as they will continue make a Super Bowl run each year for the foreseeable future.