After a less-than-smooth off season, the Lions no longer have to worry about “what ifs.”
It’s back on Sunday at Green Bay with a perfect opener to prove their growing detractors wrong.
Even though it happened more than seven months ago, the stunning playoff loss to Washington lingers.
Beating the Packers, who have surpassed the Lions as the prohibitive favorite to win the NFC North since trading for pass rushing savant Micah Parsons, would suddenly dissipate a stubbornly hovering cloud.
Winning the ultimate prize, regardless of the sport, seldom occurs in a linear manner.
There are ups and downs. Last year at this time, expectations were low for the Eagles after they faded dramatically in 2023 after a fast start.
A year later, there isn’t much question whether they have the top roster.
The difference, though, is Lions general manager Brad Holmes did not make significant additions. The Eagles’ Howie Roseman signed Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun to incredibly cap-friendly teams, and hit Power Ball in the draft with cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, after 2023’s fade.
But getting Aidan Hutchinson back is huge for the Lions.
The Lions have as much top-end talent throughout their lineup as any NFL team except for the Eagles with Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Jack Campbell, Jared Goff and Jameson Williams. Alim McNeill will likely rejoin the team for the second half run.
This is a solid team, a genuine Super Bowl contender.
As difficult as the road schedule appears to be, the home portion makes up for it.
The first 10 games are brutal, but there is a stretch of three very winnable home games in November.
The Lions need to have, at worst, a 6-2 mark at home. They can’t be less than 4-5 on the road. At minimum they must have a winning record against NFC North opponents.
The Lions are certainly capable of doing that and more.
Most importantly, the Lions must peak at the right time. That’s December and January.
In the short term, changing the narrative is as simple as beating the Packers Sunday.
The Lions do that, and the skepticism goes away.
At least for a while.