The best and worst cases for the 2023 Detroit Lions
Sam Monson and Steve Palazzolo of the Pro Football Focus podcast went through the entire NFC and picked out the best and worst case scenario for each team. This obviously includes the Detroit Lions. Here's a little of what they had to say. "Yeah, like they have been executing this rebuild perfectly. And ironically, a perfect […]
Sam Monson and Steve Palazzolo of the Pro Football Focus podcast went through the entire NFC and picked out the best and worst case scenario for each team. This obviously includes the Detroit Lions. Here's a little of what they had to say.
"Yeah, like they have been executing this rebuild perfectly. And ironically, a perfect rebuild is going to involve some imperfection, because you're gonna miss and some of your decisions. And the really important part is how you adjust to the times where you miss. And that I think, is where I've been most impressed by Detroit. I like the idea of this multi year process.
But when they've missed, they've identified it quickly, and they've adjusted and they've gone in a different direction, and they fixed it so that it like one miss doesn't stall the entire project. So really, they're exactly where they should be right now. They are a on the precipice of the playoffs. They are everybody loves them. They are now the favorites, I think, for the division. And we all expect the lions to be a really good team next year. So simply meeting expectations for them, I think is the best case scenario, right is the realistic best case scenario being the team that everybody expects the lions to be this season is their best case."
That's their best case scenario for the Lions. That makes perfect sense. The best thing that can happen to the Lions in 2023 is that they show up and do all the things that everyone thinks they can do. I have to go one step further and define that a little more. I think the best case scenario is that the Lions win their division and then win a playoff game. Preferably a home playoff game.
Obviously the ultimate best case scenario is the Lions winning the Super Bowl. While I think that can happen sooner than we think, I don't know if 2023 is the year for that. I think it's all about taking steps, and the division and a playoff win is the next step.
In terms of their worst case scenario, well that all revolves around Jared Goff. It centers around the idea that Goff is not a top tier quarterback and this much floated idea that Goff needs to have everything around him be perfect for him to succeed.
I really don't get why that continues to be a narrative. Goff has had anything but perfection around him in Detroit and he's managed to do just fine. In 2022, Goff had games where he was missing Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, TJ Hockenson and D'Andre Swift. HE did not relent. He found a way to make guys like Kalif Raymond, Josh Reynolds and Brock Wright work and get better.
The argument that Goff is not a top tier quarterback is a fine argument to have. I'll even go further to say that if Goff regresses, that could be the worst case scenario for this team, but the idea that he needs everything around him to be perfect just doesn't hold water.
In addition, I want to add my own worst case scenario. Mine is that the Lions defense can't stop the run and they get ran all over again for the second year in a row. I just don't feel as though the Lions did enough to fix that issue over the course of the offseason. Maybe I'll be wrong, but right now it's fair to be concerned.
Featured image by Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
