The NFL is a copycat league. As soon as the Gatorade tub settles, groups begin eyeing subsequent season and the way they’ll replicate the success of that season’s Tremendous Bowl champion. To cap off the 2024 season, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in dominant trend.
The Detroit Lions weren’t the one 15-2 crew to get outplayed in a playoff sport, however in contrast to the Chiefs, the Lions by no means made it out the beginning gate. A fast loss to the Washington Commanders ended any Tremendous Bowl aspirations for the Lions, and it despatched them residence as spectators to the title sport.
Wanting on the sport plan that made the Eagles into Tremendous Bowl winners, is there a recipe that the Lions may borrow from? The Lions have their very own identification, however there are the reason why sure groups win the large sport. What items are the Lions lacking from their crew to turn into a winner just like the Eagles?
In the present day’s Query of the Day is:
What do the Detroit Lions must match the success of the Philadelphia Eagles?
My reply: Go rush.
Once you take a look at what makes the Eagles profitable, the similarities to the Lions stand out. Each groups have glorious common managers in Howie Roseman and Brad Holmes which have helped construct the crew via the draft. They’ve dominant offensive traces. These blockers up entrance assist facilitate a formidable run sport, with the Eagles powered by Saquon Barkley and the Lions splitting duties between Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The Eagles boast a proficient receiver duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, whereas the Lions have Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Sam LaPorta and Dallas Goedert are strong, well-rounded tight ends. Assuming that Kellen Moore leaves to turn into the New Orleans Saints’ new head coach, each groups may have misplaced their offensive coordinators as properly.
On protection, the Eagles have a great pair of safeties in C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship, however the Lions have them beat with the elite grouping of Kerby Joseph and Brian Department. Zack Baun and Alex Anzalone are two former New Orleans Saints linebackers which have thrived of their new houses, whereas the linebacking corps are additionally crammed out by younger abilities in Nakobe Dean and Jack Campbell. Every crew drafted a pair of defensive backs early within the 2024 NFL Draft, and whereas Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are additional alongside than Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, the Lions’ younger pair may nonetheless blossom right into a succesful duo.
There are two massive variations between the Lions and Eagles. Firstly, Jared Goff is the exact opposite of Jalen Hurts in the case of mobility, one thing that no scheming from an offensive coordinator can change. Nonetheless, the Lions don’t want him to be Hurts together with his legs. Goff had an exceptional 12 months via the air, beating Hurts in counting stats like touchdowns and passing yards, in addition to charge stats like completion share, yards per sport, and quarterback ranking. The Lions lean on Goff’s arm, the Eagles lean on Hurts’ legs. Each are legitimate methods to construct across the strengths of their quarterbacks.
What actually stands out to me is the go rush. The Eagles could have scored 40 factors on the day, however none of that’s attainable with out a traditionally dominant defensive efficiency up entrance. The Eagles wrecked havoc for Patrick Mahomes, sacking him six occasions and contributing to a number of turnovers through stress.
All of it comes all the way down to the our bodies up entrance. Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill are among the many finest at their respective positions, however the Lions merely should not have the horsepower to compete. DJ Reader is a strong nostril sort out, however he doesn’t have the pop that Jalen Carter or Milton Williams possess. Levi Onwuzurike had a fantastic 12 months, however he’s a pending free agent and his future in Detroit is unknown. The Eagles should not have a participant of Hutchinson’s caliber, however they make up for it by having two nice go rushers in Nolan Smith and Josh Sweat. Philadelphia has loads of depth items that contribute on a weekly foundation as properly, together with Moro Ojomo, Bryce Huff, and Jalyx Hunt. Because the Lions discovered in 2024, you want high quality depth items, and the Lions’ rotational guys merely didn’t reduce it.
Marcus Davenport went down early and was hardly an element on his one-year deal. Josh Paschal supplied some much-needed stability, however he seems like a moderate-floor, low-ceiling kind of defensive finish. Al-Quadin Muhammad was a modest shock, however he’s a pending free agent with restricted profession success. Midseason acquisition Za’Darius Smith was a shot within the arm for the go rush, however coming into his age 33 season on a really cuttable contract, he in all probability will not be a long-term remedy. The Eagles have been getting constructive contributions up and down their line of defense, however the Lions have been struggling to seek out our bodies, not to mention succesful starters.
If the Lions wish to attain the highs of the Eagles and dominate a crew just like the Chiefs, they should enhance their line of defense. I feel the run stopping is nice sufficient as is, however the go rush wants fast enchancment.
Your flip.
