The Detroit Lions had been the NFL’s punch line for years, but there’s no one laughing now.
They finished the 2023 regular season in a 3-way tie for the best record in the NFC (12-5) and as the 3 seed in the conference (they lost tiebreakers to the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys).
This team came a field goal short of going to its 1st Super Bowl in franchise history. It’s safe to say that coach Dan Campbell has successfully changed the culture of losing in the Motor City.
When the Lions traded franchise QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for QB Jared Goff in 2021, they were ridiculed for the move, and it was exacerbated when the Rams won Super Bowl LVI. While that had to sting, Detroit responded by building one of the most talented rosters in the NFL that could be a serious title contender for years to come.