The Detroit Lions entered the 2023 campaign with lofty expectations after years of impressive roster rebuilding. The Lions met those expectations by advancing to the NFC Championship Game, where they suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. Detroit's goal for the 2024 season is to repeat that success while proving capable of getting over the hump.
The Lions saw an opportunity in the NFC North after the Green Bay Packers dealt franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. The Packers had won three of the previous four NFC North titles. The Lions hadn't won their division since 1993 when they still competed in the NFC Central prior to the NFL's 2002 division realignment.
The Lions finished the regular season with an impressive 12-5 record, claiming their first 10-win campaign since 2014. The 12 victories tied an all-time franchise record. Detroit's .706 winning percentage was their best since 1991.
The playoffs didn't prove too big of a stage, either. Dan Campbell's squad defeated their former quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams 24-23 in the wild-card round for their first playoff victory since 1991, ending the league's longest winless postseason drought.
They were awarded their second consecutive home playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round. Detroit reigned supreme again, beating Tampa 31–23 to advance to the NFC Championship Game.
That's when disappointment occurred.
The Lions had the one-seed 49ers on the ropes, nursing a sizable 24-7 lead at halftime. The 49ers then scored 27 consecutive points to begin the second half to eventually claim a 34-31 win. Lions players haven't soon forgotten the blown opportunity and have consistently discussed repeating 2023's success all offseason long, with a better finish.
The pieces are certainly still in place. Starting guard Jonah Jackson has been replaced by veteran free-agent signing Kevin Zeitler. Role receiver Josh Reynolds joined the Denver Broncos. His production will be the responsibility of an increased workload for Jameson Williams. Neither departure should have much of a negative impact on last season's third overall offense.
The weakness of the 2023 Lions was their 27th-ranked pass defense which allowed 247.4 yards per game. The secondary was completely revamped this offseason as a result. Nickel corner Amik Robertson was signed in free agency and boundary starter Carlton Davis III was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. General manager Brad Holmes used his first two selections in the 2024 draft on cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Impacting opposing quarterbacks with more regularity is another area of improvement for the 2024 defense. Aidan Hutchinson is a superstar, but the Lions still recorded just a 24th-ranked 41 sacks last season. D.J. Reader and Marcus Davenport were added to a defensive line that should be more diverse following their additions.
The Lions are in the midst of a legitimate championship window and the entire organization knows it. Both offensive and defensive coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn received head coaching interest from around the league earlier this offseason. Campbell managed to retain both, but it's a matter of time before they leave for a promotion. There should be a sense of urgency to achieve greatness while they remain.
The Lions' 2023 season was overall a resounding success, though the bitter aftertaste of blown opportunity is what lingers. Sustained success is now the expectation. The Lions are capable of competing for the Super Bowl.
