Vito Chirco and John Maakaron, two staff writers for Sports Illustrated/All Lions, tackle issues facing the Detroit Lions ahead of Sunday’s season opener at home against the Philadelphia Eagles.
What’s the best part of the Lions roster?
Chirco: For me it’s the attacking side of the ball, and specifically the attacking line. Anchored by center Frank Ragnow and Tackle Decker and Penei Sewell, the O-line may be one of the best lines in the entire league, as long as everyone stays healthy. This line should open jobs for D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams to run throughout the season, and should do a solid job of keeping Jared Goff upright. Again, to me the offensive line is the best part of Detroit’s offense and team as a whole going into the 2022 campaign.
Maakaron: Detroit’s offensive line is one of the most talented units in the entire NFL. The hype is justified, and if the members of the line can stay sane, Detroit’s offense will benefit greatly. Penei Sewell is about to have a very solid second season. And once Jameson Williams returns, Detroit’s wide reception corps is also very intriguing.
What worries you most about the schedule?
Chirco: It’s the linebackers group. There is no real playmaker in this position in my opinion. I don’t trust Alex Anzalone leading the way, and the verdict is not yet known on what sophomore pro Derrick Barnes can do. Meanwhile, in the sixth round of ’22, Malcolm Rodriguez was a sensation for the season, but you still have to give him time to grow into position. So right now I see the aforementioned unit as the weakest part of the team’s roster.
Maakaron: While the defense needs improvement, I’m concerned about how the linebackers and cornerbacks on the roster will perform. Tackling should improve for the whole defense and the secondary should start the season off right. Jeff Okudah starting the season strong would be quite a boost to the confidence of a defense looking to improve on every statistic criterion.
Did the team pick the best backup quarterback?
Chirco: I’m not so sure that’s the case. I think the Lions will start this season with a clear void at backup quarterback. I don’t believe Nate Sudfeld is the answer, and I don’t think David Blough or Tim Boyle would have been either. I agree with my colleague John Maakaron that if Jared Goff goes out for an extended period of time Detroit will struggle to win even one game. The backup QB situation is certainly not fit to be in, and it is something that could deter the Lions from taking the next step as a team in 2022.
Maakaron: Isn’t it interesting that the Lions backup is the signal caller the Eagles went to when they were refueling? I don’t expect Nate Sudfeld to win games for Detroit should Jared Goff get injured. It’s time to accept that Detroit isn’t really prioritizing the backup QB position at this point in its rebuilding. If Goff goes away for any length of time, the season is over.
Which player are you most excited to follow this season?
Chirco: I’m going to say linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez. He was a standout performer during training camp and looked like the best player in his position for most of the camp. Despite being a late round pick, he looks like he has the potential to be a tackling machine for at least one day. I’m excited to follow him and see how he develops as the 2022 season progresses.
Maakaron: I think this is the most important season in Jared Goff’s NFL career. If he succeeds, he has the chance to stay in Detroit for many more seasons. If he struggles, his run in Motown could come to an end at the end of the season. I’m curious to see how Detroit’s attack coordinator Ben Johnson’s plan can benefit Goff’s game, as the team will have to score points early and often against Philadelphia.
What is the probability that the Lions beat the Eagles in Week 1?
Chirco: For me, the Eagles are clearly the better team going into this week 1 game. Led by signalman Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia attack has the potential to be a big day against Aaron Glenn’s unit. I predict the Eagles will take the win. So I’m giving Detroit a 35 percent chance of starting the ’22 regular season 1-0.
Maakaron: This is a really tough game for the Detroit Lions. The Philadelphia Eagles have added a solid run game, a mobile quarterback in Jalen Hurts, and a gun in AJ Brown. The key will be for the Lions to play ahead of the home fans at Ford Field. The team was blown up by the Eagles last season, so I expect a much closer game this time around. The biggest question mark will be how the team performs in late-game situations. I give the Lions a 40 percent chance of winning the home opener.
This article was produced by the Sports Illustrated/All Lions staff. For more information, visit si.com/nfl/lions.
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