Let’s take a deep look at the Lions 2019 season, 2020 offseason and what lies ahead in 2020.
2019 Team Ranks
| Total Offense | 17th (5549 yards) |
| Passing Offense | 10th (3900 yards) |
| Rushing Offense | 21st (1649 yards) |
| Total Defense | 31st (6406 yards allowed) |
| Passing Defense | 32nd (4551 yards allowed) |
| Rushing Defense | 21st (1855 yards allowed) |
| PPG | 21.3 |
| PPG Allowed | 26.4 |
| Offensive Line Ranks | |
| PFF | 11th |
| Football Outsiders (Run Block) | 20th |
| Football Outsiders (Pass Block) | 19th |
Coaching Staff Changes
| Cory Undlin replaces Paul Pasqualoni as DC |
| Brayden Coombs replaces John Bonamego as ST Coordinator |
| Ben Johnson replaces Chris White as TE Coach |
| Hank Fraley replaces Jeff Davidson as OL Coach |
| Tyrone McKenzie replaces Al Goldon as LB Coach |
| Steve Gregory replaces Brian Stewart as DB Coach |
Offseason Additions
| Halapoulivaati Vaitai G |
| Jamie Collins OLB |
| Desmond Trufant CB |
| Duron Harmon S |
| Chase Daniel QB |
| Nick Williams DT |
| Danny Shelton DT |
| Darryl Roberts CB |
| Jayron Kearse S |
| Geronimo Allison WR |
| Reggie Ragland LB |
| Geremy Davis WR |
| Tony McRae CB |
| Elijah Lee OLB |
Offseason Losses
| Darius Slay CB |
| Damon Harrison DT |
| Ricky Wagner RT |
| Devon Kennard OLB |
| A’Shawn Robinson DT |
| Sam Martin P |
| Logan Thomas TE |
| Jeff Driskel QB |
| JD McKissic RB |
| Rashaan Melvin CB |
| Tra Carson RB |
| Kyle Sloter QB |
| Matt Wile P |
2020 NFL Draft
| Round 1 (3) – Jeff Okudah CB Ohio State |
| Round 2 (35) – D’Andre Swift RB Georgia |
| Round 3 (67) – Julian Okwara Edge Notre Dame |
| Round 3 (75) – Jonah Jackson G Ohio State |
| Round 4 (121) – Logan Stenberg G Kentucky |
| Round 5 (166) – Quintez Cephus WR Wisconsin |
| Round 5 (172) – Jason Huntley RB New Mexico State |
| Round 6 (197) – John Penisini DT Utah |
| Round 7 (235) – Jashon Cornell DT Ohio State |
2020 Schedule with record vs opponents since 2017
| Week 1 – vs Chicago Bears 1 PM ET FOX | 2-4 |
| Week 2 – at Green Bay Packers 1 PM ET FOX | 4-2 |
| Week 3 – at Arizona Cardinals 4:25 PM ET FOX | 2-0–1 |
| Week 4 – vs New Orleans Saints 1 PM ET FOX | 0-1 |
| Week 5 – BYE | |
| Week 6 – at Jacksonville Jaguars 1 PM ET FOX | 0-0 |
| Week 7 – at Atlanta Falcons 1 PM ET FOX | 0-1 |
| Week 8 – vs Indianapolis Colts 1 PM ET CBS | 0-0 |
| Week 9 – at Minnesota Vikings 1 PM ET CBS | 1-5 |
| Week 10 – vs Washington 1 PM ET FOX | 0-1 |
| Week 11 – at Carolina Panthers 1 PM ET FOX | 1-1 |
| Week 12 – vs Houston Texans 12:30 PM ET CBS (Thanksgiving) | 0-0 |
| Week 13 – at Chicago Bears 1 PM ET FOX | 2-4 |
| Week 14 – vs Green Bay Packers 1 PM ET FOX | 4-2 |
| Week 15 – at Tennessee Titans TBD | 0-0 |
| Week 16 – vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers TBD | 1-1 |
| Week 17 – vs Minnesota Vikings 1 PM ET FOX | 1-5 |
Miscellaneous Notes
|
Kenny Golladay led NFL in receiving TD’s (11)
|
| Matt Stafford missed 8 games in 2019 |
| Matt Patricia is 9-22-1 as HC of DET |
| 2019 Offense Play Selection |
| Pass – 60.1% |
| Rush – 39.9% |
| PFF Top 5 Graded Players in 2019 |
| 1. Jayron Kearse FS 89.0 |
| 2. Trey Flowers RE 83.0 |
| 3. Matthew Stafford QB 82.6 |
| 4. Kenny Golladay WR 79.9 |
| 5. Taylor Decker LT 75.5 |
| Players who opted out of 2020 season |
| John Atkins DT |
| Geronimo Allison WR |
| Russell Bodine C |
Burning Question: Can Matt Patricia salvage this defense?
Bottom Line: Matthew Stafford returns fully healthy, but there are much bigger problems than Stafford. Stafford will have the Lions competing, but he is facing an uphill battle. He will need a consistent running attack to complement his style, which is something he has never had. However, D’Andre Swift was drafted in the 2nd round and hopes to be that answer alongside Kerryon Johnson.
This defense struggled allowing 26.4 points per game while ranking in the basement in terms of yardage allowed. Jeff Okudah will come in to replace Darius Slay and be apart of the future in Detroit.
As for the present, Matt Patricia seems to be trying to turn the Lions into Patriots North. 4 former Patriots seem to have starting roles in Detroit for this season.
I do not believe they will replicate the success of the Patriots or even come close.
Predicted Win Range: 5-7
