Justin Rogers, Nolan Bianchi, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News offer their predictions for how the Detroit Lions will fare this season.
► Justin Rogers: If training camp and the preseason are any indication — and it’s all we have to go on at this stage — the Lions’ rebuild is trending in the right direction. On offense, the line is solid with the potential for dominance, the backfield tandem is competent and capable, the passing-game options have been upgraded, and it’s all being orchestrated by Ben Johnson, who is beloved in the locker room for his collaborative approach. On that side of the ball, it all boils down to whether Jared Goff can sustain his momentum from the end of last season, and again, signs from camp point to yes. Defensively, the personnel is better and schematic tweaks have been made, but it’s less clear whether the unit is ready to make that same leap. It’s reasonable to expect some bumps in the road as the young group searches for its footing and tries to establish an identity. That’s all to say, optimism is merited, even if this team isn’t quite ready to crash the playoff party. Record: 8-9.
► Nolan Bianchi: After a season of ‘almosts,’ an influx of talent at positions that badly needed it should be enough to occasionally put the Lions on the right side of one-score games, which routinely ended in heartbreak last year. A little more luck, coupled with actually becoming a better team, could be enough to help Detroit hover around .500 in what feels like another developmental year. If nothing else, a bump in competitiveness should give a better idea of how Dan Campbell will operate as a coach when his team isn’t a two-score underdog in every game Expect the scrappy Lions to actually benefit from sticking in games this season, but ultimately, the leap most fans are hoping for is likely a year away. Record: 8-9
► John Niyo: The schedule looks easier, the talent level has improved, and the expectations are higher. But this is still one of the NFL’s least-experienced rosters, so Dan Campbell and his staff will need to be at their best if this team’s going to finish anywhere near .500. The start should be smoother, with Jared Goff looking rejuvenated in the Lions’ new offense and a nearly-full complement of weapons at his disposal. There’s some new blood on defense, too, led by No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson and a rookie wrecking ball in Malcolm Rodriguez. But injuries are a concern out of the gate, and if the Lions find themselves playing catch-up again this fall, there’s no guarantee the end result will improve dramatically. Record: 7-10
► Bob Wojnowski: Whether it’s the afterglow of “Hard Knocks” or the excitement of landing Aidan Hutchinson at No. 2, the Lions are generating unusual buzz for a team coming off a 3-13-1 season. With every quirky quote, Dan Campbell stirs hope, which naturally stirs hype. The key, as always, is translating it to the field. Jared Goff appears much more comfortable in his second season and actually has a few dependable receivers, starting with Amon-Ra St. Brown. D’Andre Swift needs to take a leap running behind a good offensive line. Big question: Can the defense leap from horrible to functional? With Jeff Okudah healthy and Hutchinson flashing his pass-rush skill, the Lions have added intriguing pieces, no doubt. Improvement is expected and demanded, no doubt. But this looks like one more foundation-building year, albeit a very interesting one. Record: 7-10