The upcoming 2022 NFL season is exciting for fans of the Detroit Lions, the on bet-Michigan gamblers, and the players who have been waiting patiently through years of mediocrity, just hoping that prosperity was around the corner. New coaches with big aspirations are always promising.
The 2020 season was the third and final one under head coach Matt Patricia for the Detroit Lions. The team improved on their 3–12 record from the previous year but were eliminated from playoff contention for a fourth consecutive year after losing to Tennessee in Week 15.
The Detroit Lions finished last in the NFC North division for a third consecutive season, and their 2020 defense had one of the worst seasons ever. It allowed 519 points (third highest) and 6,716 yards (third-most), besting 2008’s team record.
Later, towards the end of that season, the Detroit Lions’ principal owner, Martha Firestone Ford, stepped down on June 23nd 2020 and passed ownership to her daughter Sheila Hamp.
After the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day loss to the Houston Texans, both Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn got fired. As for what’s next in Detroit? Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell took over as interim head coach. Patricia finished his tenure in Detroit with a record of 13–29. It is not great, and that he also fired special team coordinator Brayden Coombs on December 21st makes things worse for him.
In 2021, the Detroit Lions are looking to build upon their 2017 season, in which they went 9-7 and snapped a streak of ten consecutive losing seasons. With new leadership taking over, the team is excited for an improved 2021 campaign under head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes.
Still, they rarely deliver, so it’s best to temper expectations because anything more than another +9 win year would be surprising given how far down this franchise has fallen from glory days past. The Lions’ 2018 draft haul looks decent on paper, incredibly tight.
The Titans will attempt to improve upon their 5–11 record from last year, make the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and finally win a division title after being in Tennessee for 24 years.
After nine years of leading the team, they traded quarterback Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles on January 31st. The Lions hope that Jared Goff will guide them as they attempt another Super Bowl run in 2021 where they are hoping to make it to the finals and win the championship.
