NFL: Detroit Lions will be in the playoffs in 2014 if…

If: Quarterback Matthew Stafford and an offense that has a lot of talent in a lot of different places can avoid the numerous mistakes that have plagued the team the last few seasons.

Let’s go back to that aforementioned 5-0 start by the team in ’11. During that stretch, the Lions coughed up the ball only five times in winning all of their games. Since then and including the playoff loss to the Saints, this club has committed an astounding 87 turnovers in last 41 contests.

Stafford enjoyed a banner year in 2011, throwing for 5,038 yards and 41 scores while being picked off just 16 times. In 32 regular-season games since, the first overall pick in the draft five years ago, the strong-armed signal-caller has thrown 49 touchdown passes and 36 interceptions.

This past season, the Lions committed 34 turnovers, tied for the second most in the league with the Washington Redskins. But the damning part was the fact that 21 of those miscues came in their final seven games, six of which the lost.

With the likes of perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver Calvin Johnson and versatile running back Reggie Bush, the offense has the ability to strike from anywhere. This offseason, Detroit added wideout Golden Tate via free agency and drafted talented tight end Eric Ebron was the 10th overall selection.

Still, all of that talented doesn’t do any team any good when you are consistently handing over the football to the other team.