The Detroit Lions have been rolling opponents over the last four weeks, winning by a combined total of 161-85. They currently have the highest point differential in the NFC at a plus 67, which is 21 points higher than the second-place Seattle Seahawks.
With any team, however, even the great ones, there is always room for improvement. The Lions are no different, and some key factors need to come into fruition for Detroit to separate itself from the rest of the conference.
After overcoming injuries and multiple suspensions to begin his career, wide receiver Jameson Williams ended up having a breakout year in 2024. He finished with his first 1,000-yard receiving season, in addition to seven touchdown grabs. Year four is off to an underwhelming start for Jamo, though, with just 11 catches in the first five contests.
Luckily for the Lions, they have numerous weapons to lean on, such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Sam LaPorta. Williams is the gamebreaker, however, and with stiffer competition on the way for the Lions, they may not be able to coast in the same fashion they have been lately. If this squad wants to achieve the ultimate goal and be the last team standing, its deep threat at WR will need to be a bigger factor.
The Lions’ best interior defensive lineman, Alim McNeill, returned to practice this past week for the first time since tearing his ACL last December. While he is out for the Sunday night contest in Kansas City against the Chiefs, McNeill was able to participate fully in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. The coaching staff surely doesn’t want to rush the process, but they are hoping to have him back before the bye week (via Eric Woodyard of ESPN).
Detroit’s last contest before the Week Eight bye is at home on Monday night against a tough 4-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers team. That would potentially be a good test for McNeill, as he works his way back into playing shape, while facing a formidable opponent.
Although the injuries to Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed aren’t season-ending, the Lions still may need to add some depth to their secondary. Veteran cornerback Arthur Maulet was added to the practice squad this week, but there are questions as to how much the 32-year-old has left in the tank. There is uncertainty around the severity and thus the timetable of the Arnold and Reed injuries. With that in mind, Detroit should probably pursue a more game-ready CB who can step in now and potentially down the stretch.
There isn’t a clear-cut favorite in the NFC right now, so the Lions need to do whatever it takes to seize the opportunity that’s in front of them. Although the upcoming schedule is more difficult on paper, all of those opponents have shown chinks in their armor. The Philadelphia Eagles just lost on Thursday night by three scores to the previously 1-4 New York Giants. The Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers only have a combined plus-11 point differential, so neither has exactly been world beaters.
Many feel that a significant reason for Detroit’s dominance has been the level of competition, especially with the Baltimore Ravens proving not to be the team we are used to seeing. In the next month and a half, however, they face the Eagles, Buccaneers, a Washington Commanders squad that now has Jayden Daniels back, and have a rematch versus the Green Bay Packers. That stretch of games is where the Lions can prove that they are undoubtedly the best the NFC has to offer.
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