NFC North: 5 things to look for in 2018

By Cody Rivera | Aug 20, 2018

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a first quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs #14 against the Denver Broncos during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

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OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 10: Head coach Matt Patricia of the Detroit Lions looks on from the sidelines against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

3. Matt Patricia is here to fix Detroit’s defense

In 2017, the Lions went 9-7 – not a bad mark, but not good enough to get into the playoff picture. The problem isn’t the quarterback, as only Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have had better touchdown-to-interceptions ratios than Detroit quarterback Matt Stafford in recent years.

The Lions were fine on offense. It was their 27th ranked defense that kept a playoff appearance out of reach. With a respectable defensive unit, the 2017 Lions would have most likely been in the playoffs, and may have even made a run at winning the division entirely.

That’s why Detroit booted former head coach Jim Caldwell and replaced him with a defensive expert in Matt Patricia. There’s a reason why the Lions wanted him; he’s been groomed under Bill Belichick, arguably the greatest defensive-minded coach of all time. And during Patricia’s six seasons as New England’s defensive coordinator, the Patriots always reached the AFC Championship Game at least, and even won two Super Bowl titles.

Having learned from the absolute best in the game, Patricia knows exactly what it takes to play lights out defensive football, and you can expect Detroit’s defense to be significantly better in 2018 than it was last year. Don’t undersell the Lions this season, because they might surprise a lot of people.

There is a red flag, however. Patricia’s defense did just give up 41 points to a Nick Foles-led Eagles offense in Super Bowl LII back in February, and a lot of New England fans haven’t forgotten about that.