Detroit Lions: 10 Reasons Motor City Will Win the NFC North

The Detroit Lions surprised many in 2011, as they won 10 games, and for the first time since 1999, made the playoffs. 

The Lions will do so again in 2012, but not just as the Wild Card they were a year ago.

No, this team will win the NFC North.

Don't believe me?

Here's 10 reasons why the Lions will take the NFC North title away from Green Bay in 2012.

Matthew Stafford Is Elite and Still Growing

Entering 2011, many were wondering if Stafford was capable of staying healthy for an entire season.

Well, Stafford didn't just stay healthy last year, he dominated as well.

The former Georgia Bulldog threw for 5,038 yards (third in the NFL), 41 touchdowns (third in the NFL), and finished the season with a passer rating of 97.2.

The fact that Stafford put up such efficient numbers while the Lions were a one-dimensional offense, is a testament to how great of a player he is.  

Also, Stafford showed growth as the season went on. He threw 14 touchdowns and two interceptions in the Lions' final four regular-season games, and showed great poise in the Wild Card loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Stafford will be more experienced and comfortable as the Lions' leader next season. Considering what he did in 2011, that has to strike fear in the rest of the NFC North. 

Jahvid Best Is Back

The Lions' chances of winning the NFC North last season suffered a huge blow when Best dealt with concussion issues that caused him to miss the last 10 games.

Until the injury, Best was having a great season, rushing for 390 yards on 84 carries. Being the deep-threat he is, defenses always had to pay special attention to Best, which really opened the field up for Stafford and company. With Best, the Lions were at their most balanced and highly-effective point, and their 5-1 record with him last season backs that up. 

His injury forced the offense to become completely one-dimensional, and as talented as Stafford is, the Lions were not as formidable without Best.  

It would be smart of the Lions to add some running back depth in the draft, but regardless, with Best now healthy, the Lions have a much better rushing attack entering 2012 than they ended 2011 with.

Titus Young Will Build Upon a Great Rookie Year

In 2011, Titus Young proved to be easily worth the second-round draft choice the Lions used to select him.

Young amassed 48 receptions for 607 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season, as the No. 3 option on the team. 

Young showed significant improvement as the season went on, improving his route running significantly. He was still a bit raw, but give him a break, he was a 21-year-old rookie.

Having another offseason to get more acclimated with Stafford and the Lions' system should do him some good, and if he can refine his game a bit, he should become the No. 2 option on the team, and be a key cog in an excellent passing attack.

Calvin Johnson Should Face Less Pressure

Calvin Johnson is absolutely incredible.

Even with defenses game-planning to stop Megatron, throwing constant double-teams at him, Johnson still caught 96 balls for a league-leading 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns.  

Calvin should be even more efficient this year. Johnson experienced the most success last season when Jahvid Best was in the lineup (nine touchdowns in six games), as defenses had to focus on Best. Now, with Best back, and a receiving corps that is improving, Johnson should have more space this season. 

Expect huge things from Megatron in 2012.

Cliff Avril Will Return

Avril was one of the best defensive ends in the entire league last season, so placing the franchise tag on him was the right move.

In 2011, Avril recorded 36 tackles, 11 sacks and six forced-fumbles (the most by any defensive end). He is one of the key figures on the Lions' frightening defensive line.

While there is some worry that Avril will hold out, as he has made it clear he will not play without a long-term contract, it seems unlikely that happens, given both parties' desire to work out a deal. 

Anyway, with Avril presumably on the team, every quarterback in the league has something to worry about.

Louis Delmas Is Healthy

Delmas' injury last season was crushing to the Detroit secondary.

While some may think the Lions secondary was a problem the 2011 campaign, it wasn't really until Delmas injured his knee in week 11 that things went south. In the first 10 games of the season, the Lions defense gave up on average 211 passing yards per game. Not bad at all. But in the final six games, the team gave up an average of 332 yards. 

Delmas is now perfectly healthy, and coach Jim Schwartz seems excited about that:

"

There is no more strong safety or free safety. There are just safeties, and a prototype guy is Lou Delmas. He's 6-0, 205 pounds. He covers, he can play in the box, he can play deep zones, he's got great range and he can cover a tight end.

"

Delmas is one of the best players on the Lions' defense and the impact of his return next season can not be overlooked. 

The Lions Will Grab a Cornerback in the Draft

Even though Delmas' return significantly helps the secondary, losing Eric Wright to the Bucs is a problem. Fortunately, it's a fixable problem. 

The Lions have the 23rd pick in this year's draft, and Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick should be available. He possesses everything skill-wise you want in a corner, and would be a great pick.

Still, if the Lions decide to go elsewhere with their first pick, they will definitely add to their secondary at some point in the draft. Most mock drafts don't have the Lions waiting past the second round to grab one.

If they make the right moves in the draft, the Lions should finish 2012 much better than the 22nd rank in passing yardage they had in 2011.

The Vikings Are Not a Threat

The Vikings finished 2011 in the NFC North cellar with a record of 3-13. Unfortunately for Vikings fans, it's unlikely they'll finish much better in 2012.

The team's running game, one of their few strengths the past couple of seasons, should take a hit this year, as Adrian Peterson is in the process of recovering from a torn ACL suffered in week 16 of the 2011 season. Even if he is healthy enough to play in week one, he likely will not be as effective as he usually is right out of the gate. 

Also, there are many issues with the team's pass defense, and Christian Ponder is not ready to lead a team to the playoffs.

Count out the Vikes in 2012.

The Bears Improved, but Are Still Not Better Than the Lions

The Bears made some impressive moves this offseason, such as the signing of Michael Bush and trading for Brandon Marshall. Many are expecting them to make the playoffs, and they very well could, but I do not see them topping the Lions in the North standings.

While we always seem to talk about how great the Bears' defense is, it really was not that great last year. The team finished 28th in passing yardage and 17th in total yardage last season.

Also, the team still has a lot of question marks on its unimpressive offensive line.

Chicago fans are optimistic because Cutler and Forte will return from injury this season, but the Lions (with Best in the lineup) beat the Bears last season when they were healthy.

The Bears' offseason moves make them a threat, but the Lions are still the better team.

The Packers Will Regress

Obviously, the Packers are a great team, but I do not think they will be as good as they were last year. I believe the Lions can jump them in the standings in 2012.

In their matchup against the Packers in the NFC divisional round last season, the Giants really exposed a lot of the Packers' flaws, laying out a blueprint on how to slow Aaron Rodgers and company down.

Also, the Packers defense finished 32nd in passing yards and 27th in rushing yards, and have done little in the offseason to make sure those ranks improve.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying this team is going to win nine games or something ridiculous. But I see them falling down to the 11 or 12-win range, and I believe the Lions possess the talent to top that.