On the eve of the Lions’ big divisional matchup with the Chicago Bears, which kicks off the second half of the season, lets grade the Lions’ first half of the season which saw them go 6-2 overall and an impressive 4-0 on the road.
OFFENSE
Right now the biggest concerns surrounding the Detroit Lions fall on their offense line and running game. In the two losses the Lions suffered this season (San Francisco and Atlanta) some of the biggest contributions to those losses came from the offensive line failing to provide Matthew Stafford with adequate protection and a running game failing to develop.
Despite the shortcomings on offense, Matthew Stafford has looked good so far this season developing some good chemistry with his wide receivers and most importantly he’s staying healthy (knock on wood). And speaking of wide receivers, Calvin Johnson in finally becoming the dominant and elite wide receiver we all knew he could be.
Grade: B-
DEFENSE
In what was supposed to be an Achilles heel for the Lions this season, the secondary, actually has looked quite good the first half. Bringing back Chris Houston has proved to be huge for the Lions, Louis Delmas continues to make nice plays in the defensive backfield and Amari Spievey is really starting to turn himself into a decent NFL player. The additions of Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant have proved worthy as well while the pass rush upfront with Suh, Vanden Bosch, Williams and Avril have done a very good job putting consistent pressure on QBs.
The only real shortcoming on the defense has been the defenses inability to stop the run. However given the players up front and the linebackers in the middle this is an area the Lions should improve on during the second half.
Grade: B+
SPECIAL TEAMS
Heading into this season, I was hearing a lot of chatter from Lions fans that Jason Hanson was done and the team should have made the permanent switch to former Spartan Dave Rayner. Yet in his 40’s Jason Hanson continues to be automatic for the Lions this year. In terms of punting, I guess I’m not too impressed with Ryan Donahue but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s doing a bad job.
In terms of punt and kick coverage the Lions have had times when they were shaky in these areas yet it hasn’t really contributed to them losing games.
Grade: B
COACHING
Now in his third season with the Lions, Jim Schwartz is 13-25 with a .342 winning percentage. That might not look too impressive for any other coach but I’m sure we all remember what the Lions did prior to Jim Schwartz’s arrival in Detroit. So far Schwartz is right on schedule in terms of turning the Lions around, in position to make a run for the playoffs the second half of the season.
One thing that Schwartz was really talking up upon his arrival in Detroit back in 2009 was changing the culture of the Lions. For so long opposing teams and their fans would come into Ford Field, push the Lions around and they would have to just accept it. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore as the culture Schwartz was speaking of is finally making that turn.
Grade: A-
SECOND HALF PREDICTIONS
Prior to the season I picked the Lions to go 8-8 and miss the playoffs. After a 6-2 start to the season, the Lions are ahead of the grade in terms of their 2011 season.
What does the second half have in store though? Lets take a look…
11/13 @ Chicago Bears: The Lions are going to see a different team than they saw back on October 10th in Ford Field. Jay Cutler is finally getting some support and the Bears are playing as a collective unit. Not to mention this is almost a must win for the Bears if they want to remain in the playoff hunt. Bears win and the Lions go to 6-3.
11/20 vs. Carolina Panthers: For the first time in a long time teams aren’t looking forward to playing at Ford Field. This will be the case for rookie QB Cam Newton. I expect the Lions’ defensive line to keep Newton in check and the Lions improve their record to 7-3. Lions win and their record goes to 7-3.
11/24 vs. Green Bay Packers: Last season the Lions shocked the Packers at Ford Field as they were able to pull off a very surprising victory over the eventual Super Bowl champs. As far as this season goes, look to be even better than last year but so do the Lions. Still though, Aaron Rogers will lead the Pack to victory in a close one. Packers win and the Lions go to 7-4.
12/4 @ New Orleans Saints: For the second straight week the Lions will have to face an elite NFL QB in Drew Brees. Even though the Saints have looked shaky at times this season I just don’t see the Lions winning this game. Saints win and the Lions go to 7-5.
12/11 vs. Minnesota Vikings: If the Lions can contain Cam Newton, they should have no problem with Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings. Lions win and move to 8-5.
12/18 @ Oakland Raiders: Is anyone scared of Carson Palmer anymore? I’m not and neither should the Lions. Plus I’m not sure exactly what the Raiders are this season. Lions win and move to 9-5.
12/24 vs. San Diego Chargers: Prior to the season, this is a game that I picked the Lions to lose. I thought the Chargers were going to be the team to come out of the AFC and Phillip Rivers would get some very serious consideration for the leagues MVP. That hasn’t at all been the case though this year as questions have begun to swirl in San Diego as to whether or not their top QB is playing injured. The Lions just may injure Rivers some more. Lions win and move to 10-5.
1/01 @ Green Bay Packers: Wow the Lions are 10-5 heading into the last game of the season against Green Bay. I can tell you right now that this game will have tremendous meaning with the Lions trying to wrap up a Wild Card while Green Bay looks to clinch a first round bye. This is also one of those games where you find out that Detroit just isn’t there quite yet. Packers win and go to 10-6.
Playoffs? At this time the teams that will be vying for a Wild Card spot will be the Lions, Cowboys, Falcons and Bears. Unfortunately for the Lions sitting at 10-6 just doesn’t cut it this season. The Lions’ loss to the Falcons earlier in the year and the Bears’ easy second half schedule keeps the Lions out of the postseason in 2011.
Ref: NFL.com, Yahoo! Sports, AP (image)