On Sunday afternoon, the Detroit Lions will kick off their 2020 season at Ford Field against the Chicago Bears. It is important that the Lions get off to a hot start, especially in their home stadium against a division.
If the Lions want to make a run at the NFC North title, they will have to stay healthy and they will have to be amazing on offense and much better on defense than they were a year ago.
That being said, here are my 5 Bold Predictions for the 2020 Detroit Lions
3 Detroit Lions RBs will rush for 600 yards or more
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This past week, the Detroit Lions went out and signed future Hall of Fame RB Adrian Peterson to a 1-year deal. Some are speculating that Peterson was brought in because of concerns about the health of Kerryon Johnson and D’Andre Swift but I believe it has more to do with bringing in a RB who can pick up short yardage when it’s crucial.
That being said, I truly believe he Lions will spread the ball around and Peterson, Swift, and Johnson will all end up with over 600 yards rushing.
Matthew Stafford will be the best QB in the North
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I have been saying for a couple of years that Matthew Stafford is the best quarterback in the NFC North and assuming he can stay healthy for a full 16 games in 2020, he will drive my point home with authority. I predict Stafford will approach 5,000 yards passing and 30 touchdowns and when the season ends, there will be zero question about who is the best gunslinger in the North.
The Defense will rise up
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The Detroit Lions 2019 defensive unit came within 50 yards of being the worst defensive unit in franchise history. If the Lions are going to win the NFC North in 2020, the defense will have to at least be formidable and I think that will happen.
In 2019, the Lions allowed 6,406 yards, which placed them at No. 31 out of 32 teams. My bold prediction is that the Lions will allow fewer than 5,600 yards and they will rank around No. 17 or so. The question is, will that be enough to get the job done? I think it will be.
T.J. Hockenson will double his 2019 output
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During his rookie season, TE T.J. Hockenson showed some flashes of brilliance but unfortunately, there were not enough of those flashes and after going down with an injury, many haters started labeling him as another Lions bust.
Though I absolutely hated the Lions taking a tight end with the No. 8 overall pick, I 100% believe that Hockenson will turn out to be a Pro Bowl type tight end.
My bold prediction is that Hockenson will catch 65 balls for 750 yards and 8 touchdowns. If he does that, he would more than double his output from a year ago. But just wait until 2021! That is when Hockenson will really explode!
The Detroit Lions will win the NFC North
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That’s right folks! The 2020 Detroit Lions will finally win the NFC North.
Now, let me be clear about something. I do not believe the Lions are a great team but I do think they will be the best team in what is a very average NFC North.
Matthew Stafford will lead the Lions to a top 7 or so offense in the league and the defense will be around No. 17 or so. That combination will allow the Lions to win 10 games and claim the NFC North crown.
BOOK IT!
