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The Lions Are Making The Super Bowl: Here’s Why

Author Nathan Franklin
Did Dan Campbell inspire PC Principal? (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Detroit Lions franchise has experienced many trials and tribulations in its 96-year history. The Team has only mustered 39 winning seasons in that span. Unfortunately, they finished 49 seasons with a losing record. The Lions did have eight seasons where they finished with an even or “500” record. Considering their losses, the franchise’s overall record of 591 wins to 707 losses should come as no surprise.  

For years, fans and sports experts have looked for possible reasons why the Lions have struggled so much. Some trace the origin of the serious struggle to William Clay Ford Sr. buying the team in 1964.  He owned the team for about 50 years, and during that span, the team had only 14 winning seasons. So, it’s not completely unfair for fans to feel this is the root of the issue

Detroit Lions fans outside Ford Field. Prices will go up in 2024
Nic Antaya/Getty Images
Lions season ticket prices are going up in 2024 (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Others blame a more spiritual reason, a curse—specifically, the curse of Bobby Lane. Legendary Lions Quarterback Bobby Lane led the franchise to back-to-back championship titles in 1952 and 1953. Lane was traded from Detroit to Pittsburgh 2 games into the 1958 season, and he was unhappy. He apparently stated that Lions would not win a championship for another 50 years while also saying “I tried what they referred to as a hex”. I don’t think football fans think Bobby Lane was a witch or anything like that, but superstition and fanaticism are not to be taken lightly in sports, especially back then.

The Lion’s Curse is over

But what’s the point of all this? It’s that the Lions are back, baby. William Clay Ford is no longer in charge and Peyton Manning and Jeff Daniels have lifted the curse of Bobby Lane. Regardless of your belief, those reasons are out of the equation now. The Detroit Lions have had five winning seasons since 2014 and are coming off one of their best seasons, finishing 12-5, which ties them for the most wins in a single season in franchise history. Not only that, but they made it to the NFC Championship game last year and, quite frankly, lost by a play or 2.

Detroit Made Major Improvements

This team has made major upgrades to an already talented roster. If you don’t believe me, check out who CBS Sports has ranked as the number 2 NFC team heading into the 2024 season.  The Lions are poised to make the leap from good to great. This is the year they get over the hump. They are making upgrades in the secondary by adding guys like Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson and drafting arguably the top corner in the draft in Terrion Arnold. They didn’t just bolster the secondary, though.

The Lions also made significant upgrades to their Defensive line. Adding a force like DJ Reeder alongside Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, and recently acquired pass rusher Marcus Davenport makes this team much more deadly. People will criticize this and think this barely helps, but this team, with essentially no pass rush outside of Hutchinson, made it to the NFC Championship last season. Adding a guy like Davenport, who’s had a 9-sack season just three years ago, could be a major boost for this team.

The Lions Middle Linebacker.
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Alex Anzalone, #34 of the Detroit Lions, looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2023, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Nobody is saying that Davenport is guaranteed to have another 10-sack season, but if he can at least take a little bit of pressure off of Aidan Hutchinson and allow teams not to double-team him, that will open up the pass rush. The Lions have retained all important pieces that made their offensive attack so deadly. When you combine that with the upgrades on defense, the Lions can only improve upon last season: next stop, Detroit’s first Super Bowl.       

2024 NFL Draft Class: Grading the Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions’ 2024 NFL Draft class is here. So, how did we do? We should be proud, kids. In my opinion, this was a total success. Let’s grade the Detroit Lions’ picks in this year’s draft.

2024 NFL Draft Class: Grading the Detroit Lions’ Picks

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell did a lot of trading up this year, but that’s okay, because looking at the upcoming draft years, the Lions still have a decent amount of early picks. This year, the team had one first-round pick, which was pick 29 in the first round. Although the draft is always important, thankfully, Detroit has been taking on quite a few free agents and resigning players, so the needs weren’t as immediate. We needed a good cornerback, and we got two. That, to me, was the most important piece of the puzzle for the Detroit Lions in the draft.

It’s worth noting that this year’s NFL Draft class was very different for the Detroit Lions than it has been in previous years. This was the first time Holmes and Campbell didn’t have top picks, because the Lions did so well last season. They’re good and making solid picks when they get to look at the top draft players. But, how would Holmes and Campbell do when they are looking at draft picks lower on the tally? I have to say that I wasn’t worried. These guys have earned my trust. Holmes obviously knows what he’s doing when it comes to scouting, and it’s part of what makes him, in my opinion, the best GM in the league right now.

Case in point: In 2023, the Detroit Lions had two first-round picks. They went with Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell. The Gibbs pick was a controversial one. So many analysts and fans thought it was a throwaway pick. But, if you watched the Lions last season, then you know how the story ended. Gibbs had a fantastic season and was a huge part of the success of the team’s offensive line. I questioned the Gibbs picks last year and learned my lesson. Never question Holmes. He knows what he’s doing.

Now, let’s get into the 2024 Detroit Lions NFL draft class. Read on for an analysis of each player, including underrated picks. Also, listen to my interview with Lions quarterback Jared Goff below. I interviewed him at a charity event he held with Jared Jewelry during the NFL Draft week. Reach out to me, too, with your thoughts on the picks.

  • Round one (24): CB Terrion Arnold of Alabama

    It’s pretty unanimous that this was a great pick for the Lions. It’s my favorite pick of the draft. I said going into the draft that we absolutely needed a good cornerback, and a lot of others said the same thing. The Lions gave up a third-round pick to get the 24 pick, going from 29, but it was worth it. Terrion Arnold is solid and will hit the ground running. https://www.instagram.com/p/C6P9IFlvkDN/

  • Round two (61): CB Ennis Rakestraw of Missouri

    Two cornerbacks as the first two picks might seem a bit much, but I think it’s a smart move. Ennis Rakestraw has dealt with some injuries, or else he would have been picked higher. If he can get and stay healthy, he’ll be a huge asset.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C6RH-R8vkGE/

  • Round four (126): OT Giovanni Manu of the University of British Columbia

    We traded up to get offensive tackle Giovanni Manu, and that was a bit of a head-scratcher for me. But, I have faith in Holmes and think Manu can help the team. He hasn’t gone up against the toughest teams at the University of British Columbia, so that’s a bit of a concern, but he certainly has some great skills.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Rf_XNOSex/

  • Round four (132): RB/S Sione Vaki of Utah

    This guy is very versatile. Sione Vaki played safety for most of his time in college, but the Lions might use him as a running back. There’s nothing wrong with being a jack of all trades.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Rh9rDOJl8/

  • Round six (189): DT Mekhi Wingo of LSU

    The Mekhi Wingo pick has been getting raves from across the board. During draft analysis, ESPN analyst Matt Miller said he ranked Wingo as his 94th player in the class and could not believe he was picked way down at 189. That makes him a steal. “Find me a defensive tackle that is more fun to watch in this year’s draft class than Mekhi Wingo,” Miller said. Dane Brugler of The Athletic is also a fan. One of my friends who follows the draft closely also sings Winger’s praises. Sounds like a real solid pick.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C6SIZI-uhPn/?img_index=1

  • Round six (210): OG Christian Mahogany of Boston College

    This was another steal. I love this pick. The Lions need guard help, and although they waited until the end to fulfill that need, they got a solid guard in Christian Mahogany. He could have easily gone in the top 150, in my opinion.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C6SJ89Bufes/?img_index=1

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Author Nathan Franklin
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