Detroit Lions

2021 Record: 0-0

It seems like every few years the Detroit Lions are undergoing another rebuild, and the latest unfortunate soul to take on the task of turning around one of the NFL’s most dysfunctional franchises is former New Orleans Saints assistant Dan Campbell.

The most notable offseason move for the Lions was not on the sidelines, however. In March, longtime starting quarterback Matthew Stafford was <strike>released from his years of suffering</strike> traded to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff (and two first-round picks and a third-round pick) in a swap of former #1 overall NFL Draft picks. Goff, who led the Rams to Super Bowl LIII and was 42-27 as a starter for the Rams, gets a fresh start in Detroit after a sour ending with his former team.

Goff doesn’t have the weapons that he had at his disposal in Los Angeles, but he does have third-year tight end T.J. Hockenson, who caught 67 passes last season. He also has fourth-round pick Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has one of the best names in the game, if nothing else.

NFL futures odds have Goff’s passing yardage total for the season set at O/U 3,875 yards, which would appear to be well within his reach. Stafford eclipsed that total eight times in 12 seasons in Detroit, while Goff surpassed it in each of his last three seasons with the Rams.

But even if Goff’s numbers compare to Stafford’s, the Lions are in for another long season unless there is miraculous improvement defensively. Last season, the Lions had arguably the worst defense in the NFL, ranking dead last in total yards allowed and points allowed.

Even with that defense, the Lions somehow managed to win five games last season. With their win total set at O/U 5, it is clear that Campbell and Goff will do well to match that in their first campaign in Detroit. At least the Lions have two first-round picks in next year’s draft to look forward to.

Detroit Lions 2021 Schedule

Sunday, September 26, 2021: vs Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Sunday, October 3, 2021: at Chicago Bears, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Sunday, October 10, 2021: at Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Sunday, October 17, 2021: vs Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Sunday, October 24, 2021: at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX

Sunday, October 31, 2021: vs Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

BYE WEEK

Sunday, November 14, 2021: at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Sunday, November 21, 2021: at Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Thursday, November 25, 2021: vs Chicago Bears, 12:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Sunday, December 5, 2021: vs Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Sunday, December 12, 2021: at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX

Sunday, December 19, 2021: vs Arizona Cardinals, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX