Detroit Lions:5 Reasons the Lions Will Be Representing the NFC in the Super Bowl

Finally the Detroit Lions are ready to shock the world. This is a team of destiny. 

This Lions team is aggressive, hungry, determined and ready to show everyone how good they really are. This is a never-say-die football team that feeds off of the energy of a city that is ready to cheer on a football team to be proud of. 

Get ready Lions fans: This is your chance.

Here are five reasons why Lions fans will be watching their favorite football team on Sunday Feb. 5, 2012

5. The Secondary

It is hard to believe that this could be a main reason for the Lions making the Super Bowl however, one cannot ignore the vast improvement the Lions' secondary has shown over the past three games. 

The numbers do not lie. Chris Houston, Eric Wright and Amari Spievey are all already into double digit tackles, with Wright at second on the team in total tackles at 16.  The newly acquired Wright has one interception and one forced fumble, Houston has two interceptions already on the young season and Spievey has one pick as well. 

While it is very early still in the season, the Lions' secondary will continue to grow and mesh together.  They will only improve as time goes on, which is not something opposing offenses will look forward to each week.

Look for this Lions' secondary to continue making plays to help keep this team in the postseason discussion.

4. Rushing Attack

While the running game has gotten off to a very rocky start, it has to pick up at some point for the Lions to continue their success, and I firmly believe that it will. 

The Lions have a combination of both power and speed in the backfield, which will be shown throughout the course of this season. The players in those positions are too good to be held back for too long. While the offensive line has been questioned recently, the fact that the local and national media is criticizing their playing ability should be enough to fuel a fire inside of them that will move the Lions' running game up the statistical rankings.

Jahvid Best, Maurice Morris, Jerome Harrison and Keiland Williams have been held in check for the first three games.  Do not look for that trend to continue for the rest 2011-12 season.

3. The Defensive Line and Linebackers

Anyone who has been watching the Lions over the past few years knows their weakness has been the linebackers. Well, this is not true anymore. With the acquisition of both Justin Durant and Stephen Tulloch, the Lions have one of the most aggressive line backing units in the NFL. 

The trio of DeAndre Levy, Durant and Tulloch are reaping the benefits of a front four that no offensive line wants to see anytime soon.

With the defensive line the Lions are boasting this season, it is hard to imagine them getting better, but they will. This unit is anchored by Ndamukong Suh, a man who has more passion and hunger for a championship than any player who has put on a Lions uniform in a long time. These men will not settle for anything less than the best from every player around them. 

With this defensive line and line backing corps, look for the Detroit Lions defense to continue their aggressive and punishing ways all the way to Indianapolis in February. 

2. The Passing Game

Whenever we hear about the resurgence of the Detroit Lions, we hear two names: Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.

While Johnson is undoubtedly one of the best receivers in the game and Stafford is a future All-Pro quarterback, the Lions are exploiting other weapons through the air.

Jahvid Best is fast. Everyone knew this coming into the season.  However, because of the attention paid to Johnson and Nate Burleson—not to mention their overlooked blocking ability, short passes and screens like we saw on Sunday against the Vikings—Best will be open very often.

Brandon Pettigrew is an elite tight-end. Not only can he run block, but he is a fantastic receiver.  He is a big target that makes opposing defenses pay for double covering Johnson or paying too much attention to other receivers.

Titus Young is going to be a very special wide receiver.  He has made some big plays early on in his rookie career. Having other weapons in the passing game allows him to become more open.  He will continue to find open space and make plays this season.

With one of the top five ranked offenses in the NFL currently, the Lions are going to continue to rack up yards through the air.  Luckily for the Lions, they have so many targets to choose from each and every week. 

1. Matthew Stafford

Guess what Lions fans? Matthew Stafford was sacked five times this past Sunday. More importantly, he got back up every single time. 

This was a welcome sight to a city who is starved for a good football team. That time has come. 

Stafford is the key piece to the Lions' postseason puzzle. With his leadership ability and athleticism, the sky is the limit for this football team. The great thing about this is that Stafford welcomes the pressure. He is always confident and poised in every interview he does, which is a true testament to his professionalism and maturity.

He has been pegged by many in the national media as the next great NFL quarterback. He has a skill set that we have not seen in a long time apart from Aaron Rodgers. 

He holds the key to the locked Super Bowl door, so look for him to unlock it this season for Lions fans.