NFL: 5 Targets for the 2012 Detroit Lions

Coming off the back of their most successful year in decades, the Detroit Lions need to continue their march towards the top echelons of the NFL in 2012.

The 2011 season was exciting, pulsating and in the end, every Lions fan should agree, satisfying. A winning season came about for the first time in a long time and the first playoff appearance since 1999 was achieved.

We saw the full potential of Matthew Stafford, the consistent elite play of star receiver Calvin Johnson and some big performances from the defensive line.

So what can the Lions work on for the 2012 NFL season?

Here are five targets that (if met) would ensure another improved season for Detroit.

Reduce the Number of Penalties

In the 2011 NFL regular season, the Detroit Lions conceded an average of 7.9 penalties per game—the third worst in the NFL.

That figure, as bad as it looks, is a reduction from the 2010 season, where the Lions conceded an average of 8.5 penalties per game.

All we can ask for is the count to keep coming down. Towards the end of the season we saw the penalty yardage reduce after a horrific midseason spike.

This season, the Lions gave up an average of 67 yards per game in penalties. That's not a good statistic and it just makes life easier for the opposing offense.

Shore Up the Pass Defense

The Divisional Wild Card Game was both exciting and cringe worthy.

While it was great to see the Detroit Lions enter the playoffs, they were more or less torn apart by a rampant New Orleans Saints' offense.

It's true that Drew Brees shattered the record for passing yards in a season during that game, but to give up 627 yards of total offense was unsettling.

The Lions have had their injury problems all over the field this season and and pass coverage was an area heavily affected. 

Pick Wisely in the Draft

Now this is an obvious one, but I do have a point.

For around a decade, the draft has been the highlight of the season for Detroit Lions' fans due to the fact they had an early pick to land some future stars.

Now the Lions have a quality, young team to build around. With a pick in the twenties, it'll be a different story this year.

Martin Mayhew and company will have to be a bit more thoughtful—pick up a few potential sleepers and jump at good players still on the board.

Rehabilitate the Run

This is something I have alluded to in my previous articles, but I'll hammer home the point again as it is of paramount importance.

The Detroit Lions have to rework the running game during the offseason and bring it into the 2012 NFL season as a credible threat. Without an intact running game, it becomes easier for defenses to anticipate what the Lions will do.

Matthew Stafford lined up in the shotgun formation more times than any other quarterback in the NFL last season—something defenses anticipated in the end.

Stafford attempted 706 passes over the course of the season, while his team totaled the lowest rushing attempts per game and third lowest rushing yards per game.

This looks like a tough task.

There are now concerns over Jahvid Best's potential to return to the game following concussion complications. Fans also await the return of the injured Mikel Leshoure.

I can't wait to see how the young running back fares, should he be given a chance.

Continue to Grow as a Team

The 2011 season saw a quality, young group of players make a significant impact on the franchise's history.

The Detroit Lions will be looking to improve last season—meaning they need target the playoffs as a minimum achievement.

This is very possible—if the players continue to gel.

If Matthew Stafford stays healthy, Calvin Johnson continues to explode and the Lions pick wisely in the draft, who would bet against them reaching the playoffs for a second consecutive year?

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Please also consider reading: 5 Lions Who Need A Big 2012 & 5 Observations from a Rookie Lions fan