Gone are the days when the Detroit Lions were just another name in the NFC North division, struggling to find footing against other heavyweight teams. Since Dan Campbell has taken over the franchise, they have not only signed some prominent young names in the NFL today but also shown actual progress on the gridiron. In five seasons of the Campbell era, the Honolulu Blues have reached the playoffs twice, including playing in the NFC Championship for the first time in three decades in 2023.
Yes, the Lions held last place in the division last year, but they still had a winning record, and heading into the next campaign, they will be a clear favorite in the NFC North, per ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
“I think you need to like Detroit a little bit more than that; they’re the team to beat in the NFC North,” Smith said on a recent episode of ESPN’s First Take. “In the case of the Detroit Lions, you got LaPorta, Jameson Williams, you got all these who catch, you know, Amon-Ra St. Brown. You got all of that going on, with Goff, who you call quarterback. You got Jahmyr Gibbs, who is all-in running back. Look at the pieces they have offensively. This is one of the most prolific offenses in the National Football League. I think, looking at the rest of the NFC North, you have got to give your respect where the respect is due and say, ‘you should be able to take this division if you are Detroit.’”
Detroit Lions’ Star-Studded Offense Backs Up The Hype
The Lions are a ‘team to beat’ this season due to the offensive firepower they possess. Their offense not only tops the NFC North but also stands out in the whole NFL. Quarterback Jared Goff is the cornerstone of the offense, and he had a remarkable last season, throwing for 4,564 yards and ranking second behind Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who won the NFL MVP.
Then Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has four Pro Bowl honors to his name, including last year, remains one of the elite wide receivers in the league, while the return of Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta from a back injury is also a huge boost this campaign. Moreover, the presence of the most expensive running back in the league, Jahmyr Gibbs, makes him a serious threat to any defense.
GettyAmon-Ra St. Brown with Jahmyr Gibbs
Despite a dismal last-place finish in the 2025 season, the Lions offense thrived last season, scoring 481 total points to sit in the fourth spot among 32 NFL teams. With the addition of the first-round pick Blake Miller and the move of Penei Sewell to his natural left tackle, the Lions offense is expected to raise the bar yet again in 2026.
While their offense could play a major role, their schedule advantage could be another major factor in their performance.
Lions’ Schedule Could Be a Major Advantage
Finishing in fourth place in the NFC North last year, the Detroit Lions have been rewarded with one of the easiest schedules in the league this year. In their first five games, the Honolulu Blues are set to play three bottom-placed teams from the previous season— the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals.
Moreover, the franchise will also lock horns with teams like the Vikings, Dolphins, Falcons, Titans, and Giants, who did not make the postseason in 2025. In contrast, the defending divisional winner, the Chicago Bears, will have to play the defending Super Bowl champions, Seahawks, alongside other first-place-finished teams like the Eagles and Jaguars.
Should the Lions defense deliver at the same level as the offense and the roster remain healthy throughout the next season, Dan Campbell’s men could dominate the NFC North while also becoming a serious Super Bowl contender.
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