Detroit Lions: Is it Crazy To Call Them Super Bowl Contenders?

After two convincing victories against teams that both went 10-6 last year, are the Lions considered Super Bowl contenders?  Already with a road win under their belt, the Lions look forward to a relatively easy schedule, and they could easily be 7-1 going into their Week 9 bye. 

In their third season after going 0-16, you may believe it would be impossible to think the Lions could be Super Bowl contenders, but seriously, think again.

Matthew Stafford Is Dominating

Everyone said that the success of the team falls on Matthew Stafford's shoulders.  So far, he has lived up to all the hype.  With almost 600 yards, seven touchdowns and only two interceptions, Stafford is looking like the No. 1 draft pick that the Lions expected to get when they selected him in the 2009 draft.

Stafford has looked more poised than ever this season.  Each of his interceptions have come in the first quarter yet he shook them off and led his team to victories.  Heck, he even shook off Jon McGraw's and threw a touchdown on that drive (after McGraw fumbled and Tony Scheffler recovered it).

Stafford is the first Lions quarterback since Jon Kitna in 2007 to have a passer rating of over 100 in back-to-back weeks as he had a rating of 106.1 against the Chiefs and 118.9 against the Buccaneers.  He is also the first for the Lions since 1984 to do it in the first two games when Gary Danielson did it (Yahoo! Sports). His cumulative QB rating is 112, behind only Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.  I think that is pretty good company to be in.

Matthew Stafford is healthy, and when healthy, it's hard to argue against the Lions being Super Bowl contenders.

The Offensive Line Looks Great

After two games, Matthew Stafford is the only quarterback in the league that has yet to be sacked.  Talk about protecting your investment.  With the 11th most attempts in the NFL, that is a pretty astonishing stat and to put it into perspective, Jay Cutler has already been sacked 11 times.

It's not like the Lions haven't gone against elite pass-rushers either.  Kansas City's Tamba Hali had 15 sacks last year, and he could barely smell the sweat on Stafford's brow. 

As the Lions go forth as an elite passing team, the offensive line needs to keep playing at the elite level they are, and if they do, why aren't the Lions Super Bowl contenders?

Calvin Johnson Is the Best Receiver in the NFL

Through two games, Calvin Johnson already has four touchdowns.  Albeit he only has nine catches, he has caught almost everything thrown his way and was limited in the victory against Kansas City due to the fact they were dominating and he was hobbled with an ankle.  He is a physical specimen at 6'5", 235 lbs and can run a 4.4 40 and regularly sees double and triple-teams, yet still produces. 

It is not all about the statistics with Calvin though.  Just having him on the field stretches the whole defense and gives room to all the other Lions receivers.  Unlike teams such as Carolina and Tennessee where their only stars are Steve Smith and Kenny Britt, the Lions have Nate Burleson and Titus Young who have shown up to be huge so far this season.

As long as Calvin keeps getting double and triple-teamed, Stafford will keep finding holes in the defense and get the ball to secondary receivers and lead the high-powered Lions offense to contend for the Super Bowl.

The Lions Defense Has Been Stellar

Stephen Tulloch is looking like one of the best signings of the offseason as he has led this Lions defense to be dominant.  Accumulating six turnovers against Kansas City, Detroit's defense is no joke.  Those six turnovers have launched the Lions atop the leader board with eight total (four interceptions, four fumble recoveries). They also have seven forced fumbles which is good for first in the league too.

So far, the Lions have allowed the least points in the NFL through two games with only 17 and are one of four teams that have yet to allow a score on the ground.  In addition, the Lions are on pace for 64 sacks which would obliterate their 44 from last season, and first-round pick Nick Fairley hasn't even suited up yet.

The Lions defense is for real, and for the first time in years, they will have one of the best defenses in the league which will propel the Lions to be Super Bowl contenders. 

The Lions Schedule Is Favorable

As Jim Schwartz looks on to the Lions next opponents, he should be happy.  In Week 3, they will face a demoralized Minnesota Vikings team that was booed off their own home field.  Then they go on to face a banged up Dallas Cowboy team that has all of their stars already injured and still won't be healthy in two weeks.  The Lions could easily be 4-0 going into their Monday Night Football matchup with their division rival Chicago Bears.

After that, they go on to face San Francisco which should be an easy victory at home, then the Falcons, who will be tough.  After that, they travel to Denver who struggled to beat Cincinnati in Week 2 and then have their bye week.  The Lions can easily be 6-2 or even 7-1 heading into their bye.

They will get much rest and an extra week to prepare for their rematch in Chicago then go back home to play the Panthers who despite two great games by Cam Newton are still 0-2.  Then starts their tough stretch in their schedule, where they face Green Bay at home then travel to New Orleans. 

After that, they play Minnesota at home, then play two teams that have looked beatable when they go to Oakland and then play at home against San Diego.  Finally, they finish their season in Green Bay which could have a very big impact on the playoffs.

Looking at this schedule, I don't see how the Lions can't win at least 10 games, and we all know that's all you need as Green Bay won the Super Bowl last year after winning just that amount.

All of these aspects will work together and make the Lions Super Bowl contenders this season, just watch.