NewsLocal NewsMichigan

Actions

Live on FOX 17 now: Here's what to know about the Detroit Lions in 2020

The Lions were 3-12-1 and finished in fourth place in the NFC North last season
Detroit Lions 01032021
Posted at 10:33 AM, Sep 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-13 13:18:21-04

Sunday’s Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears 2020 season opener at Ford Field will air live on FOX 17, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.

By Ryan Gaydos
Fox News

It will be a make-or-break year for Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia.

The Lions have not had a winning season since Patricia took over the head coaching duties from Jim Caldwell prior to the start of the 2018 season. The team was 3-12-1 in 2019 – their worst record since 2012 in which they were 4-12 under Jim Schwartz.

The offense’s success hinges on the health of Matthew Stafford. As long as he stays healthy for an entire season, he can make the Lions competitive in the NFC North. Stafford still has targets like Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola to throw to this season. He also gets another running back weapon in D’Andre Swift, who the Lions selected in the second round of the draft earlier this year.

Detroit also added Adrian Peterson days before the start of the season. He's expected to add a veteran presence to a young running attack.

The Lions’ defense was not good at all last year.

Detroit finished 26th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed. There is good news, however. The team signed linebacker Jamie Collins and drafted cornerback Jeff Okudah in the first round. The two additions make the Lions’ defense at least more interesting.

The expectations are low for the Lions. But as long as everyone stays healthy, you never really know how much noise they can make. Detroit was in the playoffs last in 2016.

Here’s what else you need to know about the Lions…

5 THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

- DETROIT LIONS' ALL-TIME MOUNT RUSHMORE: 4 BEST PLAYERS IN FRANCHISE HISTORY

- DETROIT LIONS 2020 SCHEDULE: 3 INTRIGUING MATCHUPS

- DETROIT LIONS: EACH NFL DRAFT 2020 SELECTION

- LIONS' TRACY WALKER TO WEAR DECAL OF SLAIN COUSIN AHMAUD ARBERY'S NAME ON HELMET

- KELLY STAFFORD RIPS NFL, DESCRIBES 'NIGHTMARE' AFTER HUSBAND MATTHEW STAFFORD WAS PLACED ON COVID-IR