Top 5 Reasons the Detroit Lions Will Have the Best Offense in the NFL

Previewing the NFL and the Lions for this upcoming 2011 season, there is plenty to be excited about.  It has never been fun to be a Detroit Lions fan, but if you do remember they did have the best offense in the NFL in 1995 with the likes of Barry Sanders, Herman Moore and Brett Perriman.  With all the young talent surrounding the Detroit offense, they are poised to become the best offense in the NFL again this season.  Here are five reasons why...

The Offensive Line

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 18: Members of the Detroit Lion offensive line including Stephen Peterman #66 and Dominic Raiola #51 prepare for the start of play against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 18, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Pack

It is a myth that the Lions have a weak offensive line and are a reason for their demise.  The O-Line allowed the sixth fewest sacks in the league in 2010 and with the Young talent with Gosder Cherlius and Rob Sims to go along with savvy veterans Jeff Backus, Dominic Raiola and Stephen Peterman (who played injured all of last year) to go along with terrific pass blocking tight ends Tony Scheffler and Brandon Pettigrew this group will continue to impress.

Scott Linehan

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DENVER - AUGUST 21: Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan of the Detroit Lions works from the bench against the Denver Broncos during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 21, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Lions defeated the Broncos

The 2011 season marks the first time since the Wayne Fontes era that the Detroit Lions will bring back both their head coach, offensive and defensive coordinator for three consecutive seasons.  If you are doing the math that is 15 years of inconsistency.  This new found consistency will help with the players and coaches as they do not have to implement a whole new system again this year.

Running Backs

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions tries to get around the tackle of Frank Walker #41 of the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Jahvid Best and Mikel LeShoure are bound to be the next thunder and lightning duo this season. Before Jahvid Best sustained turf toe on both his feet last year he was the best running back in the NFL with five touchdowns in his first two games.  Mikel LeShoure averaged over six yards per carry and gained over 1700 yards last season with the Illini with this bruising tactics.  With Best being one of the fastest backs in the NFL (4.35 40-yard dash was fastest at last year's combine) and with bruiser Mikel LeShoure and his 6' 227-lb. frame on board defenses are going to be worn down all season so Best can bust runs open with his blazing speed.

Wide Receivers

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions catches the ball on an 87-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Gian

I think the name Calvin Johnson needs no more explanation, his 6'5" 236-lb. frame does all the talking.  Johnson along with Burleson were a nice duo in 2010 combining for over 1700 yards and 18 touchdowns with three different quarterbacks.  Titus Young and his 4.4 40-yard dash will stretch the field and take some pressure off of the aforementioned duo.  With consistency with the Lions quarterbacks in 2011 this corps is bound to break out this season.

Quarterbacks

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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

All of the weight of the Detroit Lions success falls on to former No.1 pick Matthew Stafford's shoulders (pun intended).  We all know that he needs to stay healthy this season or the Lions will be bound to look elsewhere in 2012.  Shaun Hill is a serviceable backup and he had some success last year as the Lions starter. 

Stafford has all of the tools to be the best quarterback in the NFL and he has gained 15 lbs of muscle this off season to strengthen his upper body.  Hopefully this will allow him to sustain hits without getting injured this season and he will lead this exciting Detroit Lions offense to the promise land this year.

With all of these young and exciting players the Lions will have the best offense in the NFL in 2011.