Trying to Get Their Lions Share

The NFC North is a tough division. Ok lets be honest the NFC is tough. Nearly every team has got better and I would say at least 14 teams are in with a shot of 6 playoff spots. One team that seems to have done a great job of putting themselves in the mix, is the Detroit Lions. So lets have a look at what makes the Lions contenders this year.

Reggie Bush

The Dolphins let him go despite there being some obvious talent still in his game. The best thing about Reggie Bush is he is versatile. You can run him down the middle. he can catch a screen, he can even line up as an out and out receiver. With a player like Bush you can take some pressure off their out and out receiver Calvin Johnson. Also it means you can hand the ball off a few times rather than constantly bombing it down field. I think one option is lining him up in the slot. He’s not weak and could possibly embarrass a few Linebackers.

Fairley & Suh

They cost the Lions a fortune but in these two, the Lions have one of the best Defensive Tackle combos in the league. What’s different from any other year with these two? They’re both healthy and in a division which is renowned for having less than brilliant offensive lines. Throw in ex Bears Defensive End Israel Idonije, and you have a D-line, full of sacks. Also with a healthy D-line, Chris Houston at Corner should have a chance to shine.

Matt Stafford & Calvin Johnson

Ok so they have all been consistently amazing, but with a tighter Defense and a decent healthy run game, we could be looking at not necessarily a record breaking season but certainly a productive one, with a lot of pressure taken off. I can’t explain it, but I get the feeling Stafford is really close to pushing for the elite bracket. He just seems so comfortable to throw.  Megatron is just Megatron. What can you say. He’ll get a ridiculous amount of yards and TD and there really is very little to stop him.

Despite all these wonderful players, the Lions will find it difficult to get out of the NFC North, with a revitalised Packers team, an Adrian Peterson led Vikings team and a brand new looking Bears team.

If the Lions don’t make the playoffs, there is a very good chance it will be as much about the rest of the NFC as it is about what looks like a very decent Lions team.

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