Detroit Lions 2020 Preview - NFL Odds, Picks, & Betting Predictions

The Detroit Lions finished last in the NFC North in 2019 with an overall record of 3-12-1. The Lions were hurt by the loss of star quarterback Matthew Stafford who was injured at the halfway point of the season after throwing for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. However, Stafford is expected to be 100% when the Lions open their regular season in September. Lions head coach Matt Patricia is known to be a defensive specialist, but the offense will be the strength this season for Detroit. 

Stafford will have a myriad of weapons at the skills positions for the Detroit offense. Kerryon Johnson returns as the top running back for the Lions. Last season Johnson rushed for 403 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions drafted De’Andre Swift who will see playing action early in the offensive backfield for Detroit. The receiving corps is led by Pro Bowler Kenny Golladay, veteran Danny Amendola and deep threat Marvin Jones Jr. Last season Golladay caught 65 passes for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns while Jones caught 62 passes for 779 yards and nine touchdowns.

Detroit is expected to have a high caliber offense but concerns remain over the offensive line. The Lions added Halapoulivaati Vaitai at right tackle while Taylor Decker returns as the left tackle. In addition the Lions also drafted Logan Stenberg and Jonah Jackson and Jackson is expected to start at one of the guard positions while the other starting guard will be a tossup between Joshua Garnett, Joe Dahl, Beau Benzschawel and the recently drafted Stenberg. The center position will be held down by Frank Ragnow who is expected to one day be All-Pro.

The defense for the Detroit Lions was one of the worst in the NFL in 2019 ranking 31st in yards allowed per game with an average of 400.4 and allowed a league-worst passing yardage at 284.4 yards per game. The secondary has been revamped after trading away Darius Slay while the new number one cornerback is Desmond Trufant and rookie Jeff Okudah is expected to start at the other corner. Jayron Kearse and Duron Harmon will be the starting safeties and CJ Moore, Miles Killebrew, Will Harris and Tracy Walker amongst others will add much needed depth.

The linebackers will be slightly improved over 2019 with the addition of Jamie Collins while Christian Jones and Jared Davis will round out the starting trio. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Jahlani Tavai and Elijah Lee will be the three main backups at linebacker. Others who will see time at that position include Christian Sam, Reggie Ragland and Anthony Pittman. The Lions defensive line was improved with the signing of Nick Williams from the Bears and Danny Shelton from the Patriots, while Trey Flowers returns and Da'Shawn Hand and Romeo Okwara will see plenty of time in defensive rotations as well as others such as Frank Herron and Austin Bryant.

The key to the success of the Detroit Lions in 2020 will be keeping veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford healthy. Losing Stafford last season for 8 games was the downfall of the Lions and although Detroit has plenty of talent at the skills positions, without Stafford the Lions offense will become stagnant. The defense for Detroit has improved slightly at both the front four and the secondary but the linebacker corps remains a weak link. Detroit will finish last in the NFC North with an overall record of 6-10.