Detroit Lions: 5 Reasons the Lions Are Set for a Huge Season

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The Lions aren't the most hyped team this preseason for no reason. They have quietly had one of the best off seasons of any team and are poised to make a deep playoff push. With a great mix of quality veterans and young players, the Lions have depth and skill at almost every position. Just wait and watch, the Lions are set for a huge season.

The Health of Matthew Stafford

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Clearly Matthew Stafford has shown all the skill and ability to be a top quarterback in the NFL. This off-season Stafford has gained 15 pounds of muscle in his upper body and is noticeably stronger.  Hopefully this will prevent the upper body injuries he has had in the past.  So far in the pre-season, yes I know it's only pre-season, Stafford is 12-17 for 156 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. No one has sacked him this preseason.  

When Stafford stays healthy this year, the Lions will instantly become a playoff contender.

Calvin "Megatron" Johnson

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The Lions have arguably the best receiver in the NFL in Calvin Johnson. He has yet to reach his full potential and he already has 33 touchdowns in 4 seasons. He and Stafford have a clear chemistry and when they are both healthy the Lions offense is nearly unstoppable. 

With Calvin being only 26 years old and Stafford at the ripe age of 23, the Lions offense will have a great one two punch for a long time. This season, as well as many future ones, they will bring the Lions deep into the playoffs.

Ndamukong Suh

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Ndamukong Suh is already arguably the best defensive tackle in the NFL. After a rookie pro-bowl season he is just going to get better. Every quarterback in the league is already scared of him.  He has already ripped off two Ohio quarterback's heads off, maybe he's a Michigan fan? Suh is not a dirty player though, he just is so big and fast his body takes over sometimes, and he can't help it. 

Suh is an anchor to one of the best defensive lines in the league, teaming up with Cliff Avril, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Corey Williams and Nick Fairly. This line is going to terrorize quarterbacks this year and will be another reason the Lions will make a deep playoff push.

Stephen Tulloch

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Stephen Tulloch arguably had one of the best seasons in the NFL at middle linebacker last season.  Recording 159 tackles he only fell short to Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots. Tulloch and DeAndre Levy will combine for one of the best young one two punches at linebacker in the NFL this season.

Stephen Tulloch and coach Jim Schwartz have great chemistry and is one of the reasons Tulloch signed with the Lions at a discounted price this offseason because he thinks Schwartz can help him improve his game.  Also, the only knack on Tulloch in his career is that he has a hard time getting penetration in the backfield, but with the dominant defensive line the Lions have, it won't be necessary for him to do that. 

Tulloch fits in perfectly with the Lions scheme and is one of the reasons they will have a huge season.

Jim Schwartz and the Front Office

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The Lions have steadily improved since the departure of Matt Millen. Hey, maybe all they needed was an 0-16 season to realize they had to make some changes. The changes they have made, promoting Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand, hiring Jim Schwartz, Gunther Cunningham and Scott Linehan have all turned out to be great decisions. 

It seems like almost everything that Mayhew touches turns to gold and his moves helped the Lions win their first road victory in 26 tries. This year the Lions are looking to end another drought.  I have been talking about the Lions making a deep playoff push, but they haven't been to the playoffs since 1999. 

If the Lions can stay healthy, they are bound to break that drought and soar deep into the playoffs because they have all the pieces in place for a huge season.