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Lions need health and improvement to contend in NFC North

By Steven Mullenax

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 17: Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) has this pass go just off of his finger tips during the Detroit Lions versus Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday November 17, 2019 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 17: Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) has this pass go just off of his finger tips during the Detroit Lions versus Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday November 17, 2019 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Entering Matt Patricia’s third season at the helm, it’s time for the Detroit Lions to make the move and become competitive in the NFC North.

Best-case scenario

The Lions’ brain trust of general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia have been put on notice. Both currently sharing a crowded hot seat in Motown, Quinn and Patricia have to find a way to turn this 3-12-1 Lions’ team into a playoff contender.

So, the best-case scenario for Detroit is the team plays meaningful games in December, staving off what has the potential to be a complete rebuild under new owner Sheila Ford Hamp. Quinn and Patricia have been given three years to make the New England Patriots Midwest experiment work.

It appears to be now or never.

Worst-case scenario

Performing so poorly Patricia is fired before the end of the season. This would effectively end the Lions’ year and plunge the long-suffering franchise into yet another rebuild.

If both Patricia and Quinn are parted with, the next question to be answered will be the future of 32-year old quarterback Matthew Stafford in Detroit. Then there’s the fact several ex-Patriots occupy key positions on the roster.

The Lions went all-in on Quinn and Patricia’s philosophy and culture change. Untangling the moves they’ve made together could take years. Fortunately, there are some great young players on the roster to build upon.

Biggest offseason move

Signing linebacker Jamie Collins in free agency. The Lions essentially traded linebacker Devon Kennard for Collins, with the former racking up 14.0 sacks for Detroit over the past two seasons.

But Collins put up tremendous numbers for the Patriots last year and displayed traits of being one of the best linebackers in the league. If he can make a similar impact in Detroit this year, it could be the spark needed to finally ignite Patricia’s defensive scheme in Motown.

Draft pick who makes the big impact

The Lions found themselves in a favorable position early in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Somehow Georgia’s D’Andre Swift, arguably the best-overall running back in the class, was still on the board.

With the addition of Swift to the backfield, the Lions ease concerns about the health of starting running back Kerryon Johnson while also giving themselves their best shot of a consistent rushing attack since the days of Reggie Bush, the team’s last 1,000-yard rusher.

Overall expectations

The Lions started last season strong, not suffering their first loss until Week 4. And that defeat came at the last second against the eventual Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs.

The Lions would lose their starting quarterback for the rest of the season four games later. Without Stafford, the Lions did not win another contest in 2019, ending their season on a nine-game losing streak.

With a mandate from ownership to make the Lions’ a playoff contender in 2020, Quinn and Patricia know that having a healthy Stafford under center is the biggest key to that turnaround. And they’ve taken a big gamble replacing the entire right side of their offensive line this offseason.

If Stafford is able to play a full-16 game season, the Lions will undoubtedly improve on their previous 3-12-1 record. But Detroit has only won a total of nine games over the past two years under Patricia. So, hoping to notch nine wins in a single season seems like a big ask.

Still, the Lions have the talent to do so and everyone understands what’s on the line. Expect this team to be competitive in December.