4 Detroit Lions
Fans like the idea that a physically limited quarterback can succeed with brains and accuracy. He can, but to a much lesser extent than they realize. In the NFL, the stronger a QB's arm, the more throws that are available to him. If you don't believe it, take a close look at the Lions. You'll see an offense that's defined by its quarterback's cannon arm. MATTHEW STAFFORD continues to make the big-time, tight-window passes that he has always made—he's especially deft throwing deep outside against Cover 2—but in coordinator JIM BOB COOTER'S system, we've seen the 29-year-old QB play with more maturity. His bold throws are now also good decisions. Cooter has helped Stafford by using straightforward, static formations. The presnap stillness gives Stafford a clearer picture of the defense.
• Here's hoping third-year running back AMEER ABDULLAH stays healthy—he went on injured reserve after Week 2 last year with a left Lisfranc injury. With Abdullah and THEO RIDDICK (the best inside receiving back in football), Detroit has two dynamic backfield weapons who can create their own space. Their shifty style of running fits Cooter's single-back spread formations.
• TAYLOR DECKER tore his right labrum in June, sidelining him for four to six months, and that hurts. The injury to one of the league's best young left tackles—Decker has steady feet and strong hands—leaves the Lions with unappetizing options: reserves COREY ROBINSON and CORNELIUS LUCAS and former Rams bust GREG ROBINSON.
• Last year opposing offenses completed 72.7% of their passes against Detroit, the highest rate in the NFL's modern era. Surprisingly, the secondary never looked that bad on film. The corners, led by DARIUS SLAY, were solid, and there was depth and versatility at safety. The real problem was that this D rarely made big plays, and that almost always stems from an ineffective pass rush. Indeed, the Lions ranked 30th in sacks.
•Defensive end ZIGGY ANSAH is worlds better than his two sacks in 2016 suggest. The fifth-year pro, long and athletic, thrives on stunts and twists. Ansah could play at the same level as last season and wind up with 12 sacks.
"IN ABDULLAH AND RIDDICK, THEY HAVE TWO BACKFIELD WEAPONS WHO CAN CREATE THEIR OWN SPACE."
SI'S 2017 PREDICTION
5--11
2016 RECORD 9--7
SEPT. 10
VS. ARI
SEPT. 18
MONDAY
AT NYG
SEPT. 24
VS. ATL
OCT. 1
AT MIN
OCT. 8
VS. CAR
OCT. 15
AT NO
BYE
OCT. 29
VS. PIT
NOV. 6
MONDAY
AT GB
NOV. 12
VS. CLE
NOV. 19
AT CHI
NOV. 23
THURSDAY
VS. MIN
DEC. 3
AT BAL
DEC. 10
AT TB
DEC. 16
SATURDAY
VS. CHI
DEC. 24
AT CIN
DEC. 31
VS. GB
Position Rankings
QB
9
SKILL
23
OL
17
FRONT 7
27
Weakness
DBs
26
ANDY BENOIT'S 400 MMQB ON.SI.COM/400
99 ZIGGY ANSAH DE
117 MATTHEW STAFFORD QB
128 T.J. LANG G
173 DARIUS SLAY CB
183 TAYLOR DECKER T
188 RICK WAGNER T
238 ERIC EBRON TE
253 GOLDEN TATE WR
259 GLOVER QUIN FS
288 MARVIN JONES WR
294 HALOTI NGATA DT
306 THEO RIDDICK RB
343 TAHIR WHITEHEAD LB
344 TAVON WILSON SS
351 KERRY HYDER DE [OUT FOR SEASON]
382 ARMONTY BRYANT DE
OUT FOR SEASON