When a team has its best season in 21 years and its new coach secures more wins than any other first-year coach in the organization within the last 80 years, that is either a representative of a superlative grade or indicative of the lack of success of the particular organization over the past several decades --maybe a little bit of both.
The Detroit Lions surprised most of NFL Nation, maybe even its own fan base, by its steady and clutch play throughout a regular season that saw them finish 11-5, losing the NFC North title on the last Sunday of the regular season in a 30–20 defeat at Lambeau Field to division kingpin Green Bay Packers. Though most Lions fans still have a bitter taste about the controversial pass interference foul that was correctly called and then reversed -- after careful deliberation and persuasion by an emphatic Dez Bryant as well the boisterous Dallas Cowboys home crowd to be incorrect in the 24-20 playoff loss to Dallas -- the big story of 2014 for Detroit was the excellent play of their defense, which finished among the league leaders overall and was historically good against the run.
Notwithstanding injuries to defensive tackle Nick Fairley, cornerback Nevin Lawson, and steady middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, Detroit managed to put a defense on the field under first-year coordinator Teryl Austin that dictated the play of opposing offenses. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was characteristically outstanding and easily the best defensive player in the division. Ziggy Ansah flashed incredible athleticism while emerging as a top rusher from the edge. Look for him to regularly post double digit sack totals in the future. The continued underrated play of outstanding outside linebacker DeAndre Levy leaves one wondering how a player who might be the most consistently productive outside linebacker in the game gets so little mention and almost no adoration from the national media.
Second year cornerback Darius Slay showed signs of becoming an upper-level cover corner, something the Lions have not had since Dre Bly ten years ago. On the other side, Rashean Mathis absolutely defied the hands of time, having a year no thirty-four year old corner not named Darrell Green should be allowed to have. Linebacker Tamir Whitehead performed admirably, filling in for the injured Tulloch and manning the middle from Week 4 until the end of the season. Detroit had, arguably, the most productive safety tandem in the league with Glover Quin and James Ihedigbo, who combined to league the league in interceptions by a safety duo.
On the offensive side of the ball, Detroit was markedly less explosive than they had been in recent years. However, the opinion here is that quarterback Matthew Stafford had his best overall season despite dwindling fantasy numbers. He did a much better job of protecting the football while increasing his completion percentage and leading the Lions on several game-winning drives with the last possession with nary a key mistake.
Some of Stafford's perceived struggles can be attributed to Detroit's offensive line, outstanding in 2013, that took a step back and gave up twice as many sacks in 2014. This was largely due to injuries, with all five offensive line starters missing some game time. The good news on the offensive line was the emergence of third-round draft choice rookie Travis Swanson, who filled in ably at both guard as well as center and looks to be a fixture in the trenches for some time to come.
By far, the best story on the opposite side of the ball was free-agent acquisition Golden Tate, who not only became that elusive second threat Detroit has been seeking for a while, but he also carried the team in the absence of injured superstar wideout Calvin Johnson. A cogent argument can be made that Tate was not only the most valuable Lion on offense this season, but he might have been the best free agent signing in the NFL.
The biggest questions for Detroit heading into the off-season are free agents Suh and Fairley. Regardless of whether Detroit retains one or both of its supremely talented defensive tackles, the Lions will also look for improved offensive efficiency in 2015 as well as the emergence of their talented but under performing 2014 draft class (aside from Swanson). Tight end Eric Ebron and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy did not show significant production in 2014, but both -- especially the physically gifted Ebron -- will be expected to be major contributors in 2015.
If this team can secure it stars, hold on to kicker Matt Prater (horrible field goal kicking early in the season definitely cost the Lions the Buffalo game, a win that ultimately would have given them the North crown and home field advantage in the playoffs) and keeps drafting as well as GM Martin Mayhew has done in the past four seasons, the new-look Lions under head coach Jim Caldwell should again be the biggest threat to dethrone Green Bay as NFC North champs in the 2015 season.
GRADE: A-