A ROARING START
Lions enter season with unusual amount of high expectations
THE RAMS-Lions showdown Sunday night in Detroit represents a number of things. It’s the season opener for both teams.
It’s a rematch of the NFC wild card game last season, with Detroit notching its first postseason victory since the 1991 season, 24-23.
It’s a game that features Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who played his first 12 seasons for the Lions, and Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who played his first five seasons for the Rams.
It, too, is the beginning of a Lions season that comes with uncharacteristically massive expectations. The Lions, one of just four teams that have never appeared in a Super Bowl, are one of the consensus favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
“It doesn’t get any better than this — it really doesn’t,” Lions coach Dan Campbell told reporters early in the week. “I’m excited, the staff is excited and so are the players, and I know our fans are ready to roll.”
Campbell isn’t hiding from the outside expectations for his team.
“Talking about it doesn’t matter now,” he said. “The first step is winning the division. That’s a long way down the road, but this is when you start setting it up.”
The Lions are coming off a 12-5 season in which they dominated the NFC North, but they lost key pieces of their receiving corps and offensive line. The Rams are coming off a 10-7 season and face having to play without dominant defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who retired after last season.
“It’s nice not to have to worry about him,” Campbell said. “You always needed to account for him, you needed to know where he was at all times.’’
Goff is one of seven Pro Bowlers who return to the Lions, along with first-team All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tackle Penei Swell.
Both Detroit coordinators, Ben Johnson on offense and Aaron Glenn on defense, are back despite having been pursued in offseason head coach searches. So, continuity is a significant strength for the Lions this season.
One of the keys to watch for the Lions is running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who suffered a hamstring injury in practice Aug. 12 and hasn’t fully practiced since. Gibbs told reporters this week he feels “98 to 100 percent.” As a rookie, Gibbs was named to the Pro Bowl after rushing for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Lions hope to improve on their 19th ranking in total defense last season, including 27th against the pass, having revamped their secondary with the addition cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson, and drafting corners Terrion Arnold in the first round and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second. The Rams, too, face challenges on the defensive side of the ball — not only having to move on without Donald, but with their defensive coordinator Raheem Morris having been hired as Falcons head coach. Chris Shula replaced Morris and hopes to develop second-year defensive lineman Kobie Turner and linebacker Byron Young.
The Rams improved their offensive line by signing Jonah Jackson, retaining Kevin Dotson and moving Steve Avila to center. Their secondary, a weakness in 2023, got better with the additions of Tre’Davious White, Kamren Curl and Darious Williams.
They remain strong with Stafford and receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, both gamebreakers.
Stafford this week insisted he’ll embrace the hostile environment of his former home when he gets into the stadium Sunday.
“I want to hear all of it,” Stafford told reporters Wednesday. “I want to smell it. I want it to feel like it’s football. That’s part of football, especially going to an away game.’’