Detroit Lions: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Upcoming Season

The Detroit Lions finished 6-10 last season, which is considered a failure for most teams, but for a team on the rise it's a sign of great things to come.

With a healthy Matthew Stafford and one of the top defensive lines on paper, Lions fans can finally have realistic playoff hopes. The Lions are a team on the rise.

With the lockout still in effect, nobody knows what the 2011 NFL season has in store. That doesn't stop us from making predictions.

Here are five bold predictions for your 2011 Detroit Lions season.

Calvin Johnson Will Have His Best Season Yet

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions catches a touchdown pass in the last minute of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won 14-12. (Photo

Why is it bold?

It's pretty difficult to top his 2008 season with numbers like 1,331 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. It's even more difficult to do it when you're one of the top wide receivers in the league and draw so much attention from defenses.

Why it will happen

Calvin Johnson is an absolute beast at the wide receiver position, easily top three in the league right now. Although he has been extremely productive in his first four seasons and has two incredible seasons, he has yet to have 100 receptions in a season. This could be the year.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford is finally healthy and will be easily the best quarterback Johnson has had in Detroit. Johnson will also have a speedster next to him in rookie receiver Titus Young. Young's 40 time was in the 4.3-4.4 range and can help stretch the field for No. 81.

This will be the year he tops 100 receptions for just the fifth time in Detroit history, along with at least 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Titus Young Will Lead All Rookies in Receiving Yards

Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 19: adidas and Titus Young pop into a football practice in Los Angeles to capture game faces as part of the adidas Facebook Game Face contest. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images for adidas)

Why is it bold?

There are plenty of other receivers taken in the draft with much bigger names and in good situations. Julio Jones in Atlanta, A.J. Green in Cincinnati and Jonathan Baldwin in Kansas City are all good fits.

Why it will happen

Many of the same reasons in the first slide. Titus Young is a fast receiver that will lineup in the slot and be able to take advantage of the double teams Calvin Johnson draws.

These two receivers will feed off each other and will be fun to watch this year and for years to come.

Matthew Stafford Will Make the Pro Bowl

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 31: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at Ford Field on October 31, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Redskins 37-25. (Photo

Why is it bold?

Matthew Stafford has yet to play a complete season in the league. He's been in the league for two years and both seasons have ended with shoulder injuries. He's also in the NFC with Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan, among others.

Why it will happen

Matthew Stafford has all the talent to be a Pro Bowl quarterback and has the potential to be the best quarterback in Detroit Lions history. Before he got hurt last season he completed 60 percent of his passes with 535 yards and six touchdowns in just three games.

This season he has all the weapons to succeed and put up Pro Bowl numbers in what will be hopefully his first real season in the NFL. Besides, he can't get hurt again, can he?

Ndamukong Suh Will Lead the League in Sacks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 12: Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions chases a runner against the Chicago Bears during the NFL season opening game at Soldier Field on September 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lions 19-14. (Photo by Jonathan

Why is it bold?

He's entering just his second season and there are plenty of veteran pass rushers in the league he'll have to beat. He is also on a team with a great defensive line.

Why it will happen

Suh had 10 sacks his rookie season last year, which was tied for 17th in the league. This season he has even more help with Nick Fairley on the line, in what is shaping up to be one of the top defensive lines in the NFL.

Suh is probably the most talented player on the line, and with Fairley, Vanden Bosh and Averil there as well, it's going to be really hard to double any of them. Suh will get at least five more sacks than he got last season and will be good enough to lead the league.

Detroit Lions Will Win the NFC North

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 26: Coach Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions celebrates a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Lions defeated the Dolphins 34-27. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Why is it bold?

It's the Detroit Lions, who haven't made the playoffs in 11 years. Even 1999, the last year they made the playoffs they finished at 8-8. They also haven't won the division since 1993. They are in a competitive division with the Bears, Vikings and defending champion Green Bay Packers.

Why it will happen

The Lions have all of the talent on offense, enough talent to be one of the best offenses in the 2011 season. They have a solid, young group of receivers led by one of the top wide receivers in the league. They need to improve their running game which ranked 23rd in the league last season, but drafting Mikel Leshoure should help.

The defense could use improvements but the defensive line will make up for the sub-par secondary. The Lions have more than enough offense to compete in the division and stay in any game. A healthy Matthew Stafford is the key for a successful season and it's hard to imagine him getting hurt for a third season in a row.

The year has arrived, Lions fans, your team will not only make the playoffs, but win the NFC North.