Before the season, this is what I said about the Lions. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the Detroit Lions went 2-14 or 3-13 again. I wouldn’t be surprised if they won 5-7 games, I wouldn’t be too surprised if they won 8 or 9. It almost entirely will depend on Matt Stafford.” However, what would have surprised me before the season is exactly what happened, Stafford getting hurt and only throwing 96 balls and the Lions still going 6-10.

Their defensive line stepped up big time with 44 sacks. They lost only 3 games by more than 8 all season (Minnesota, Dallas, New England) and in all of those games they were in it until the 3^rd quarter or later. They finished the season with a differential of -7 and finished the season on a 4 game winning streak, including two on the road, snapping their NFL record road losing streak.

One of three things will happen next season. Stafford will play like he did in their win over Washington, 26-42 for 212 yards, 4 touchdowns, and a pick, and this team will contend for the playoffs. Stafford will prove to be overrated and not much better than Shaun Hill and they will go 6-10, 7-9 again. Stafford will get hurt again.

They do need to do a few things this offseason to continue to grow as a team. Their pass defense ranked 26^th in the league despite the amazing pressure that the defensive front accumulated. They need at least 2, if not 3 new starters in the secondary (2009 2^nd round pick Louis Delmas is the only sure keeper).

They should try to get a new left tackle. Backus is not the guy you want blocking Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews, and Jared Allen 6 times a year when your quarterback’s shoulder is as sturdy as Greg Oden. They also need to add another starting at linebacker, but this team is well on their way to finally making it back to the playoffs.