9 Keys to the Detroit Lions Winning the NFC North in 2011-12

The NFC North will be one of the most competitive divisions in football this season.

Green Bay is coming off of a Super Bowl victory, Chicago just visited the NFC Championship game and the Vikings were there a mere two seasons ago.

For Detroit to win their first division crown since 1993 they will have to play near perfect football. This seems like a lot to ask of a franchise with such a record of futility, but they have the talent and coaching staff in place to finally make a run at the division.

Let's look at the 10 keys to the Lions winning the NFC North.

9. Ignoring the Hype

An overlooked factor in the Lions success this season will come from their ability to ignore all the praise that is suddenly being thrown in their direction.

Detroit fans are always optimistic before the season, but rarely does the mainstream media follow suit. This year there is a buzz around the Lions, with the consensus being that they are capable of competing for a playoff spot.

It is hard to be a "sleeper" when everyone considers you as such, so Detroit needs to tune out all the analysts and prognosticators and focus on football.

8. Road Success

Detroit is 2-14 in road games over the last two seasons. That type of play away from Ford Field is not acceptable if they are serious about competing in the NFC North.

Soldier Field and Lambeau Field are tough places to travel to each year, but the Lions need to find ways to win in tough environments like that.

After all, they only get to play eight games within the friendly confines of the Motor City.

7. Acceptable Secondary Play

It is common knowledge that the Lions do not have an imposing secondary. In fact the unit is rather underwhelming on paper.

Yet with the type of defensive line play that is expected, the secondary only needs to not lose Detroit games.

If Delmas, Houston, Spievey, and co. can prevent an excessive amount of 30+ yard passes throughout the course of the season, then the Lions will keep themselves in most games.

6. Underperforming Green Bay

Let's take a break from the Lions Kool-Aid for just a second and accept an undeniable fact: the Green Bay Packers are a much better football team than the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay is the Super Bowl champions for a reason and the offensive firepower they showcased against the Saints on Thursday night re-iterated the notion that they have no plans on playing sub-par football this year.

Yet for Detroit to win the NFC North, they will need the Packers to suffer a Super Bowl hangover at some point this season. As it stands now, they are the class of the division.

5. Rookie Support

The Detroit Lions drafted Nick Fairley and Titus Young early in the draft for a reason: they are needed and capable of producing immediately.

Losing fellow rookie Mikel LeShoure was an obvious setback to the running game.

The Lions are hoping Fairley can become a presence on the defensive line, and Young can take pressure off fellow receivers Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson. If both these contributions can be made early in the season, then it can only benefit Detroit's division hopes.

4. Developing a Respectable Running Game

Detroit averaged only 100 yards on the ground as a team last season, and their longest run was for only 45 yards.

Jahvid Best, Jerome Harrison and whomever else receives a handoff this year need to ensure that the Lions rushing attack is one capable of taking the load off of the passing game.

There is little question surrounding the potency of Matthew Stafford and his bevy of receivers. If Best is going for over 100 yards on the ground each week, then opposing defenses will really struggle in their game planning.

3. Great Offensive Line Play

If the Lions are serious about winning the NFC North, then it really starts up front. The trenches aren't the most exciting area of a football field but often times they are the most critical.

For Detroit to have a good running game, a solid passing attack and a healthy Matthew Stafford, the guys up front will need to provide great protection.

The flash may come from Stafford, Best and Calvin Johnson, but the outcome of most Lions games will be determined by the play of the offensive line.

2. The Defensive Line Proves as Good as Advertised

The Detroit Lions defensive line is being touted as possibly the best in the entire NFL. Ndamukong Suh had an unprecedented rookie season, amassing 10 sacks and 66 tackles.

With the addition of Nick Fairley this year, the line is only expected to improve. Cliff Avril is an underrated rusher at defensive end and Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams are both quality players.

This group has to play to their ability for Detroit to win games, because the linebackers and secondary are not nearly as talented.

1. A Healthy and Productive Matthew Stafford

The top key to the Lions' success is also the most obvious: the health of one Matthew Stafford.

Everyone knows about his injury woes over the last two seasons. Even his own former teammate, Zack Follett, compared Stafford to a china doll.

When on the field, the quarterback from Georgia has displayed both the ability and the leadership to excel in the NFL.

His shoulder is fully healed, and he has promised to play a full 16-game season. If he does so, then the Lions can contend in the NFC North division.