A historic season was had by the Detroit Lions in 2023.
Following doldrums-filled decades, the Lions roared to their first-ever NFC North title en route to their initial NFC Championship Game appearance since 1991.
Much of that success came thanks to a Detroit offense that produced at every skill position, begging the question as to whether the Lions have constructed the most-stacked stacked offense in the NFL?
Think not? Well, NFL Research argues that head coach Dan Campbell’s pride of Lions offers the most statistically successful skill players.
In 2023, the Lions became only the second team in NFL history to see four players produce 10-plus scrimmage touchdowns in a single season, according to NFL Research. The feat, which matched the 2013 Denver Broncos, was accomplished by running backs David Montgomery (13 scrimmage touchdowns) and Jahmyr Gibbs (11), wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (10) and tight end Sam LaPorta (10).
Three of those players — St. Brown (1,539 yards), Gibbs (1,261) and Montgomery (1,132) — had 1,000-plus scrimmage yards and 10-plus TDs. The Lions were the only NFL team to have three such players, a mark tied for the most in a single season in league history, per NFL Research.
St. Brown has become one of the NFL’s top receivers, Montgomery turned in the best season of his career and Gibbs and LaPorta were instant successes after dynamic rookie showings.
If Jameson Williams realizes his first-round potential, Detroit could have another game-changing option at Jared Goff and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s disposal.
The Lions’ offense has been a top-five group for back-to-back seasons now, so perhaps the best is still yet to come.
Detroit authored a campaign for the ages in 2023, winning its first-ever NFC North title prior to an NFC title game run in which the club collected two playoff wins – doubling its previous postseason win total since 1957.
Plenty of that Motown magic was due to Detroit’s dynamic offense.
Can these new-age Lions keep on cooking? There’s been an offseason focus on improving the Detroit defense, but the offense that has ignited the team’s revival must maintain its potency, if not improve.
Goff, last season, memorably opined that the Lions have plenty of standouts on their squad, they just don’t get the attention. Now, it’s getting more difficult to ignore the Lions.
Horsepower’s a big deal in the Motor City, and the Lions have plenty of it on the offensive side of the ball. Goff and Co. keeping their foots on the gas in 2024 might well dictate whether the Lions are one-year wonders or remain kings of the NFC North and contenders to reach the franchise’s first Super Bowl.
