Last season, the Detroit Lions posted a 9-7 regular season record and earned their second playoff berth in the past three seasons. And they did so without All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson, a defense that struggled to get to opposing quarterbacks and their top two running backs injured.
If the Lions could find success last year despite those challenges, this season should be a cakewalk, right? If it was only that easy. If the Lions’ truly want to return to the postseason, they’ll need to rely on what I believe to be the lynchpin to success for the Motor City.