I feel like the NFC north is down a bit this year. Qb controversy in CHI. GB lost some talent and picked a back up QB in rd1. Cook holdout in MIN...although they had a good draft.
I see MIN as the only playoff contender and even they could easily slip to 8-8. GB always has a chance with Arod....they shouldnt have been a 10 win team last year either.
Us?...we need a miracle job from Patricia with our defense. He chose the pieces he wanted...its on him a this point. On paper....its one of the worst front 7s in the league and wont be able to create pressure.
On offense...they doubled down on the run game. Will they continue to put all these assets into fixing the run game just to throw it 900000 times per year?...and then blame the lack of run game?
The draft focused on fixing the run game over fixing the holes on defense. Baun, Gallimore...guys over and over were passed up so we can pick a RB and a couple guards.
I see us winning 6 - 8 games and out of the Lawrence/Fields conversation.
If Stafford plays 16, and the Lions defense is still below average, they can still win 10 games. Lions defense was just awful do to injuries and not having all of Patricias pieces. I agree he has the guys he wants so it is do or die from them and for him. Below average overall but force like 10 more turnovers and that will help tremendously. Lions offense plays extremely well and the defense has like 4-5 good games then you can win 10 or more.
We'll see if Patricia changes in blitzes more if he has more comfort with CBs, safeties and LB coverage.
Packers, Vikings and Bears all had really good health last year. That was a big factor.
Packers agree they were way overrated based on their record. Still a good team but they got worse this offseason. Lions had them beat both times last year, once with David Blough playing awful in Week 17 when they needed to win for a bye.
Vikings, lots of change. Their offense is the question for sure and a new OC and no Diggs who is a Lion killer. Cook hold out even more. Vikings many changes on defense with young DBs but never doubt a Mike Zimmer defense.
Bears defense is still good, just wasn't elite in 2019. Any improvement from the offense helps them greatly. Only place to go is up for their offense. Hopefully it stays most of the same. They got a new guard and two new TEs and Ted Ginn
NFC South. Saints look good. Bucs on paper. Falcons wildcard. Panthers in a rebuild
Redskins we should beat. at Cardinals we can beat but they are improved with Simmons and Hopkins added and Patrick Peterson will play in that game.
AFC South is solid but all beatable. However, 3 of them are good enough to beat the Lions too.
Lions have the talent to do it. Stay healthy, execute and hope any ref errors don't cost them wins.
