Can the Lions improve next year?

[zyxt9]

Here's one of those Lions historical records that makes one question their chances next year:

The Lions have never had a 10+ win season followed up with another 10+ win season. Ever.

So, this is one of those streaks that they need to break in order to show they are able to go to the next level. Can they break that streak next year?

 

[UMRules06]

We need more information before we can really start to dissect that question. There is a lot to address this offseason, and plenty of holes to try to fill through whatever means Mayhew and company can. I think they can pull off double digit wins again, but take that for what it's worth, which isn't much

 

[everyoneneedsasmil]

Partly it depends on your definition of improve. If you mean winning more games exclusively, then no I don't think the Lions can improve. 12 wins means top of the conference, which the Lions aren't. If you mean being a better team than they were, of course they can get better.

The latter depends on retaining Suh, of course. But there's little reason to suggest the team can't maintain a strong defense while getting better on offense through an improved O-line and familiarity with the system.

Looking at the schedule, I see 5 games we should win (2xMinn, 2xChicago, vs Oakland), 4 games we should lose (@GB, vs Denver, @Seattle, vs Arizona w/Palmer), and the last 7 are toss-ups with varying levels of expectation. @San Diego is a loss based on history (road versus +.500 team). @New Orleans is a loss based on recent play (1 pt win at home). Philly was relatively equal to the Lions but we get them at home (win). GB in Detroit should be a win based on recent performance (we've won the last two at home). St. Louis and San Fran are both talented teams, but the Lions were certainly superior to both this year (should win). Kansas City is a complete toss-up, as the London trip always seems to lead to unpredictable results (though again, +.500 team technically on the road is worrisome).

Would 9 or 10 wins be considered improvement if the team overall is actually performing better than this year?

 

[zyxt9]

I think for them to win 10 games next year, while that would be 1 win less than this year, that would still indicate the team has improved as their schedule next year projects to be tougher than this year, but that is true for the entire division due to the NFC South this year being so bad and that was the division they played. So it is possible 10 wins could mean a division win next year. Dropping down to 9 wins I think would mean they are roughly the same as this year.

Other elements to consider:
1. Stafford has to break his "0-for" vs winning teams on the road.
2. Detroit MUST win @Lambeau.
3. Detroit MUST win in the playoffs.

IF all 3 of those happen, then undeniably the team improved. If #1 happens but not #2 and 3, then it is debatable but most likely they did not improve. If any two of the three happen then it is arguable to say they improved. But these streaks need to end and if they cannot break any of them then the team definitely did not improve.

 

[tomdalton22]

Other elements to consider:
1. Stafford has to break his "0-for" vs winning teams on the road.
2. Detroit MUST win @Lambeau.
3. Detroit MUST win in the playoffs.

IF all 3 of those happen, then undeniably the team improved. If #1 happens but not #2 and 3, then it is debatable but most likely they did not improve. If any two of the three happen then it is arguable to say they improved. But these streaks need to end and if they cannot break any of them then the team definitely did not improve.

so if they go 8-8, miss the playoffs but beat an above .500 team @ GB they will be a better team?

 

[zyxt9]

so if they go 8-8, miss the playoffs but beat an above .500 team @ GB they will be a better team?

Arguably...that scenario would show they were arguably better. Obviously the 8-8 and missing the playoffs would say they were not, so there is room for argument. Hence the term "arguably" used on the "if they do two of the three" on that list. But still, beating an above .500 Green Bay @ Lambeau...if the team is not improved the chance of that happening is as close to non-existent as they come. Green Bay would have to have every starter come down with severe food poisoning for that to happen if the Lions team was at best an 8-8 non-playoff team. Even then it would not surprise me if GB won in that circumstance.

 

[cheeno]

Two first names: Melvin, Gordon. Two words: Moar Weapons.

 

[LKP]

Two first names: Melvin, Gordon. Two words: Moar Weapons.

If they get a guard in free agency. I could see it. Mathis back and cb in round 2

 

[tigermud]

Too early to say, if they lose suh and austin no, If they both stay...maybe..but only if lombardi gets his shit togeather and stops being so damn predictable