This year Detroit will not make the playoffs for sure, we all know that.  I will talk about them and their playoff chances over the next 5 years.

Until the Lions get rid of George Milan (27-90 as owner) they will not become true contenders.  By true, I mean perenial candidates but every year a real bad team sneaks into the playoffs as a wildcard and you all are thinking, "how did they get in the playoffs?"  Last year it was the New York Jets.  This year it is the New York Giants.  Next year's prediction: Detroit Lions.  Yes, I said it, I am predicting the Detroit Lions to get the wild card next year.  You may think I am crazy but don't close this blog yet, I have very good reasons.

Flaw him all you want, Rod Marinelli is actually a good coach.  He has just had nothing to work with.  He will next year.  The Lions will try to get a good CB in the draft (there are plenty) next year.  Drew Stanton (rookie from MSU) was a second-rounder this year and will try to take away the starting role from Jon Kitna (this should be easy for him).  They have good, young, recievers in Mike Fhurrey, Calvin Johnson, and Sean McDonald.  Roy Williams demanding a trade is bad news but why not trade him for another #1 reciever next year before his contract is up?  Kevin Jones is a good RB, you woukd find this out if Mike Martz used him more which brings me to a point.  The Lions never run the ball.  They are passing almost double as much as they run it.  What sucks even more is that Jon Kitna stinks so their passing game isn't a weapon.  This could all change with Drew Stanton, then their offense would be great.  What about the O-Line you say?  It may not be too good but Kitna makes it look worse because he holds on to the ball for ever.

Their defense is a huge problem.  Teams are averaging 27.9 points against them and when they lose, they get blown out.  They don't really have any weapons on defense except Ernie Sims and Boss Baily.  Shawn Rogers is a weapon when he wants to play but the problem is that he almost never wants to play.  Meanwhile, their defense puts no pressure on the opposing QB, they're CBs don't cover recievers good, their defense is just a wreck.  Plus their special team lets up about 40 yards per opponents kick return and this can't help the Lions one bit.  The will be looking to fix this problem during the off-season.

As you can see from this, the lions are actually a pretty good team.  They just need to fill in some holes before they can become true contenders.