After much anticipation, the Lions finally kick-off a new season this week, with expectations at an all-time high. Here are five things that need to go their way to help them meet those expectations.
1. The health of Amon-Ra St. Brown
There is no more important Lions' player than the third-year receiver. By far their top weapon, not only did he catch 106 passes for 1,161 yards in 2022, St.Brown made numerous clutch plays to keep the chains moving. Offensive oordinator Ben Johnson's passing offense is based on rhythm and timing. No receiver exemplifies it more than the gutty St. Brown.
When St. Brown hurt his ankle last season in Game 3 at Minnesota, the Lions took a nosedive. They lost that game, and the next three, only producing solid offensive production too-little, too-late vs. Seattle. St. Brown missed just that game, but was limited vs. New England and Dallas. The offense didn't pick up until his ankle improved.
The Lions have augmented depth at other positions more than receiver. It has all made St. Brown their most important player entering 2023.
2. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs surpassing the production of Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift
Count me among those believing GM Brad Holmes has upgraded the backfield, but there was a relatively high bar set by Williams and Swift. Williams pounded out more than 1,000 yards and 17 TDs, while averaging more than four yards per carry. Swift, for all the angst about his injuries, did account for nearly 1,000 yards per season in total offense his three years in Detroit, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and 8.1 yards per reception last season.
Gibbs, who has wideout skills, gives the Lions more versatility in the passing game, but must prove his durability. His speed is unquestioned. Montgomery ran behind a woeful line with the Bears. That will not be a problem with the Lions.
3. Kicker still seems like an unsolved issue
For all his astute decision making, Holmes has not had a good feel for kicker. Given the Lions' cap space and contending status, it should have been a priority. Instead, the Lions have come full circle to Riley Patterson and Michael Badgely. Just be thankful they didn't bring back Dominik Eberle, too. It is, frankly, a recipe for disaster and reason to keep your fingers crossed.
4. Dan Campbell's game management -
The charismatic head coach could run for mayor and win easily. His popularity has, justifiably, soared in the aftermath of the Lions' thrilling 8-2 finish a year ago. But it wasn't like that before. He couldn't have been elected rodent exterminator the first half of last season when several in-game blunders, particularly in a gut-wrenching loss at Minnesota, cost the Lions mightily. Obviously, Campbell improved in the second half. Will the progress continue? The kicking situation doesn't help him in that regard, though.
5. Reacting appropriately to wins and losses
This has been a strength for this regime and the players they have acquired. The Lions traditionally have displayed a glass jaw. Any type of sustained success, and at the first hint of pressure or adversity, they folded like a house of cards.
Conversely, it had generally taken them forever to get out their many ruts. But when they were 0-8 in '21, Campbell figured it out and the Lions' closed 3-5-1, despite limited talent. Last season, the 1-6 start following the hype of "Hard Knocks" would have brought previous regimes to their knees. Instead, the Lions closed with gusto.
You know what it'll be like this year. If the Lions go 0-2 against strong opposition in Kansas City and Seattle, there will be panic in Detroit. If they win both games, fans and much of the media will be planning the parade. This isn't meant to minimize the importance of this season. Circumstances are set for the Lions to win now. I see them as a 10-win team and likely NFC North champs. Yet, if they don't succeed, their roster is set for success in 2024 and beyond. And the first two games do not make a season. The key is still to own their NFC North rivals and grind it out game-by-game.
