*UNCHARTED TERRITORY: 2024 (and beyond) DETROIT LIONS FRANCHISE

[kdutch98]

So, now that the Week 1 rosters are out, I have decided to do another Detroit Lions Franchise. I have also decided to run this franchise simultaneously with my Michigan Wolverines College Football 25 Dynasty. The Wolverines dynasty is under username KTD1976. I use separate accounts to keep things a little more organized. I will have links to that dynasty in every post on here, along with links to Stats, Standings, and Schedule pages.

I will be creating custom draft classes with players from the Wolverines dynasty, and importing them to the Lions franchise.

I have already completed year 1 of the Michigan dynasty, so there will be a bit of a delay with that one, as I finish year one with the Lions. At that point, I will run the two completely simultaneously.

[kdutch98]

UNCHARTED TERRITORY: DETROIT LIONS 2024-25 SEASON PREVIEW

The Lions had a Super Bowl appearance in their grasp. They were up 17 against the 49ers in the NFC Championship, but their great season was ruined by a series of mistakes to end the game.


Veteran Additions:
G Kevin Zeitler, DE Marcus Davenport, DT D.J. Reader, CB Carlton Davis, CB Amik Robertson.
Early Draft Picks:
CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw, OT Giovanni manu, S Sione Vaki.

Offseason Losses:
QB Teddy Bridgewater, WR Josh Reynolds, G Jonah Jackson, DE Romeo Okwara, DE Julian Okwara, CB Cameron Sutton, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson

2024 Detroit Lions Offense:
No one would have believed this a few years ago, but the Lions now have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. They ranked fourth in offensive EPA last year, scoring 31 points twice in the playoffs, which includes the NFC Championship matchup against the 49ers.

There’s no reason to think the Lions will regress. Jared Goff has revived his career in Detroit and was rewarded with a $212 million contract. Goff will continue to perform on a high level, as he’s surrounded with a terrific supporting cast, including the offensive line. Goff has some of the best blocking in the NFL. This includes the tackle tandem, as Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker are both Pro Bowl-caliber players. Sewell is especially terrific, as he has evolved into one of the top blind-side protectors in the pros.

The Lions are also loaded in the interior. Frank Ragnow, though injury-prone, is an elite center when healthy. Guard Graham Glasgow is also coming off an excellent season. The other guard from last year, Jonah Jackson, is no longer on the team, but Detroit may have upgraded him via former Raven Kevin Zeitler.

Like Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown was rewarded with a huge contract this offseason. St. Brown received a $120 million deal, which seems appropriate for a receptions machine like him. There isn’t a proven No. 2 receiver, as former first-round pick Jameson Williams has failed to live up to expectations, but rookie tight end Sam LaPorta compensated for that last year. LaPorta would have been in consideration for Offensive Rookie of the Year if C.J. Stroud didn’t have such an amazing rookie quarterback season, but LaPorta should continue to improve now that he has experience.

Another rookie from last year, Jahmyr Gibbs, showed off his electrifying ability as both a rusher and a receiver. David Montgomery started and handled 37 more carries than Gibbs, but Gibbs was the superior runner. He also caught 52 passes out of the backfield. Now that the coaching staff trusts Gibbs more, he’s expected to have an amazing sophomore campaign.

2024 Detroit Lions Defense:
The Lions were able to pair their explosive offense with a defense that shut down the run well and generated good pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Detroit had one weakness, however, and that was the inability to stop the pass.

The front office correctly diagnosed this liability and addressed it twice during the 2024 NFL Draft. They traded up several spots in the opening round to select Terrion Arnold, a talented cornerback who could have gone as high as No. 15 overall. The Lions then doubled up on the position, obtaining Ennis Rakestraw in the second frame. Between Arnold and Rakestraw, one of them should thrive, and if not, there’s also former Buccaneer Carlton Davis, who was acquired this offseason. Davis is coming off a down year, but he had played well in the past, so perhaps he can rebound in a new system. Meanwhile, slot cornerback Brian Branch just had an exceptional rookie campaign, so perhaps he’ll be even better with experience.

Branch can also play safety, though the Lions will likely keep him at nickel because they seem set at the position. Ifeatu Melifonwu came out of nowhere to perform on an extremely high level down the stretch when he entered the starting lineup. He’s only 25, so the sky’s the limit for him. There’s also Kerby Joseph, who wasn’t as good. Joseph is also young, however, and as a recent third-round pick, he has some potential.

Detroit sought to help their secondary via its pass rush as well. The front office added two players to the defensive line. The biggest acquisition, both literally and figuratively, is D.J. Reader, a massive nose tackle. Reader was an excellent play-maker for the Bengals, both as a run stuffer and a pass rusher. The other addition is Marcus Davenport, who has undergone and up-and-down career. With Reader and All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson commanding so much attention, the opposition won’t be able to focus very much on Davenport.

Speaking of Hutchinson, he has evolved into one of the top edge rushers in the NFL. He had 11.5 sacks in his second season, and yet that number doesn’t indicate how dominant he was. The final starter on the defensive front is Alim McNeill, who has developed into one of the better defensive tackles in the NFL. McNeill, who is only 24, is like Reader in that he can thrive as both a pass rusher and a run stuffer.

Reader and McNeill will aid a linebacking corps that has some potential to improve. That’s because 2023 first-rounder Jack Campbell is coming off an uneven rookie campaign. While Campbell played the run well, he struggled in coverage. Having experience could help in that regard. Elsewhere in the linebacking corps is Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes. Anzalone is coming off a solid season, while Barnes was a liability at times.

2024 Detroit Lions Schedule and Intangibles:
Jake Bates will handle kicking duties this season. Bates has never attempted an NFL field goal, but did kick in the UFL for the Michigan Panthers, where he went 17 for 22, with a long of 64 yards, and another 4 for 6 in the playoffs.

Punter Jack Fox was in the middle of the pack in net punting average, but he did a solid job of placing the ball inside the 20.

The Lions play against the AFC South and NFC West this year, so they’re going to have some very difficult matchups in addition to some easy ones.

2024 Detroit Lions Analysis:
Some consider the Lions as a one-year flash in the pan, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Detroit’s front office has done a terrific job of transforming this franchise from the laughing stock in the NFL to a perennial Super Bowl contender. If the Lions’ new cornerbacks help repair the pass defense, the case could be made that Detroit is the best team in the NFC.

This is truly Uncharted Territory.

Projection:
12-5 (1st in NFC North)

2024 LIONS SCHEDULE/RESULTS

2024 NFL STANDINGS

2024 LIONS STATS

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES DYNASTY

[kdutch98]

LIONS 41 RAMS 13, SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
Sep 8, 2024 1 2 3 4 F LAR (0-1) 0 6 7 0 13 DET (1-0) 14 17 7 3 41 Top Performers PASS: Jared Goff - 24/29, 274 Yards, 3 TD RUSH: David Montgomery - 15 Rush, 89 Yards REC: Jameson Williams - 5 Rec, 112 Yards, TD	Team Stats Comparison LAR DET First Downs 17 23 3rd Down Efficiency 7-13 6-9 4th Down Efficiency 0-2 0-0 Total Offense 317 412 Passing Yards 263 266 Rushing Yards 54 146 Penalties-Penalty Yards 0-0 0-0 Turnovers 2 0 Time of Possession 27:03 32:57

LIONS 41 RAMS 13 BOX SCORE

The Lions opened the 2024 season with a convincing 41-13 win over the Los Angeles Rams, at Ford Field. Jared Goff threw for 274 yards, and three touchdowns. David Montgomery (89) and Jahmyr Gibbs (53) combined for 142 yards on the ground. Gibbs had a rushing touchdown. Jameson Williams had 122 yards receiving on 5 catches, including a touchdown. Sam LaPorta caught 6 passes for 60 yards, and a pair of touchdowns.

The Lions held the Rams to just 317 total yards of offense. Rookie 1st round draft pick Terrion Arnold picked off two Matthew Stafford passes. Brian Branch paced the Lions with 12 tackles. Carlton Davis added 11. Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and Alex Anzalone each recorded a sack.

For the Rams, Matthew Stafford threw for 275 yards, and a touchdown, with two interceotions. Kyren Williams rushed 13 times for 50 yards. Tutu Atwell caught 10 passes for 83 yards.

The Lions will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week. Tampa Bay is coming off of a 31-23 win over the Washington Commanders.

WEEK 1 RESULTS

WEEK 1 RESULTS

Thursday's Games

8:30 PM: Ravens 28 at Chiefs 31

Friday's Games

8:15 PM: Packers 27 at Eagles 45 (Brazil)

Sunday's Games

1:00 PM: Steelers 17 at Falcons 3

1:00 PM: Cardinals 22 at Bills 41

1:00 PM: Titans 20 at Bears 14

1:00 PM: Patriots 24 at Bengals 32

1:00 PM: Texans 38 at Colts 17

1:00 PM: Jaguars 21 at Dolphins 6

1:00 PM: Panthers 6 at Saints 24

1:00 PM: Vikings 10 at Giants 43

4:05 PM: Raiders 18 at Chargers 19

4:05 PM: Broncos 14 at Seahawks 42

4:25 PM: Cowboys 38 at Browns 28

4:25 PM: Commanders 23 at Buccaneers 31

8:20 PM: Rams 13 at Lions 41

Monday's Games

8:20 PM: Jets 19 at 49ers 42

2024 LIONS SCHEDULE/RESULTS

2024 NFL STANDINGS

2024 LIONS STATS

[kdutch98]

LIONS 42 BUCCANEERS 21

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions
Sep 15, 2024 1 2 3 4 F TAM (1-1) 7 7 7 21 DET (2-0) 10 14 11 7 42 Top Performers PASS: Jared Goff - 20/27, 245 Yards, 4 TD RUSH: David Montgomery - 23 Rush, 81 Yards, TD REC: Mike Evans - 11 Rec, 152 Yards	Team Stats Comparison TAM DET First Downs 20 20 3rd Down Efficiency 8-13 6-11 4th Down Efficiency 0-1 1-1 Total Offense 322 365 Passing Yards 227 245 Rushing Yards 95 120 Penalties-Penalty Yards 1-10 5-35 Turnovers 4 0 Time of Possession 28:11 31:49

LIONS 42 BUCCANEERS 21 BOX SCORE

Jared Goff threw four touchdown passes, as the Detroit Lions (2-0) beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 42-21 Sunday afternoon. David Montgomery rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Sam La Porta caught a pair of touchdown passes. Jameson Williams caught 4 passes for 105 yards, and a touchdown.

Defensively, the Lions forced four Buccaneer turnovers, including three interceptions. Brian Branch had 11 tackles, and a pick. Jack Campbell had 10 tackles and a pick. Carlton Davis also had an interception. Derek Barnes, Ennis Rakestraw, Aidan Hutchinson, and Josh Paschal had sacks.

The Lions travel to Arizona next week, to take on the 0-2 Cardinals. Arizona is coming off of a 34-10 home loss to the Rams.

Thursday's Games

8:15 PM: Bills 21 at Dolphins 10

Sunday's Games

1:00 PM: Saints 23 at Cowboys 31

1:00 PM: Buccaneers 21 at Lions 42

1:00 PM: Colts 17 at Packers 24

1:00 PM: Jets 38 at Titans 34

1:00 PM: 49ers 42 at Vikings 21

1:00 PM: Seahawks 33 at Patriots 27

1:00 PM: Giants 14 at Commanders 23

1:00 PM: Chargers 34 at Panthers 17

1:00 PM: Raiders 21 at Ravens 28

1:00 PM: Browns 17 at Jaguars 24

4:05 PM: Rams 34 at Cardinals 10

4:25 PM: Steelers 6 at Broncos 37

4:25 PM: Bengals 27 at Chiefs 31

8:20 PM: Bears 21 at Texans 35

Monday's Games

8:15 PM: Falcons 28 at Eagles 31

2024 LIONS SCHEDULE/RESULTS

2024 NFL STANDINGS

2024 LIONS STATS

[kdutch98]

LIONS IMPROVE TO 3-0 WITH DOMINATING 37-10 WIN IN ARIZONA

Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
Sep 22, 2024 1 2 3 4 F DET (3-0) 7 17 7 6 37 ARI (0-3) 0 3 7 0 10 Top Performers PASS: Jared Goff - 17/22, 239 Yards, 2 TD, INT RUSH: David Montgomery - 23 Rush, 120 Yards, 2 TD REC: Amon-Ra St. Brown - 10 Rec, 140 Yards, 2 TD	Team Stats Comparison DET ARI First Downs 23 16 3rd Down Efficiency 3-8 5-14 4th Down Efficiency 1-1 1-3 Total Offense 405 299 Passing Yards 239 215 Rushing Yards 166 84 Penalties-Penalty Yards 1-10 3-20 Turnovers 1 3 Time of Possession 33:47 26:13

BOX SCORE

The Detroit Lions dominated the Arizona Cardinals 37-10 Sunday afternoon, to improve to 3-0 on the young season. Jared Goff led the way with 239 yards passing, with two touchdowns, though he did throw his first interception of the season. David Montgomery rushed 23 times for 120 yards, and a touchdown. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 10 passes for 140 yards, and two touchdowns.

Defensively, the Lions picked off Kyler Murray three times. Jack Campbell, Terrion Arnold, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr had an interception each. Carlton Davis paced the Lions with 8 tackles. Aidan Hutchinson and D.J. Reader had a sack each.

The Lions will return home next week, for a showdown against the 2-1 Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Seattle is coming off of a 31021 loss at home to the Miami Dolphins.

WEEK 3 RESULTS

Thursday's Games

8:15 PM: PATRIOTS 28 at JETS 35

Sunday's Games

1:00 PM: GIANTS 14 at BROWNS 21

1:00 PM: PACKERS 49 at TITANS 17

1:00 PM: BEARS 17 at COLTS 24

1:00 PM: TEXANS 35 at VIKINGS 3

1:00 PM: EAGLES 35 at SAINTS 17

1:00 PM: CHARGERS 34 at STEELERS 28

1:00 PM: BRONCOS 28 AT BUCCANEERS 13

4:05 PM: PANTHERS 14 at RAIDERS 21

4:05 PM: DOLPHINS 31 at SEAHAWKS 21

4:25 PM: RAVENS 36 at COWBOYS 42

4:25 PM: 49ERS 36 at RAMS 24

4:25 PM: LIONS 37 at CARDINALS 10

8:20 PM: CHIEFS 27 at FALCONS 21

Monday's Games

7:30 PM: JAGUARS 6 at BILLS 13

8:15 PM: COMMANDERS 14 at BENGALS 20

2024 LIONS SCHEDULE/RESULTS

2024 NFL STANDINGS

2024 LIONS STATS


Follow my MICHIGAN WOLVERINES DYNASTY

[kdutch98]

LIONS IMPROVE TO 4-0 WITH 45-10 DRUBBING OF THE SEAHAWKS

Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions
Sep 30, 2024 1 2 3 4 F SEA (2-2) 0 3 0 7 10 DET (4-0) 7 3 14 21 45 Top Performers PASS: Jared Goff - 25/30, 288 Yards, 3 TD, INT RUSH: David Montgomery - 18 Rush, 66 Yards, 2 TD REC: Amon-Ra St. Brown - 8 Rec, 97 Yards, TD	Team Stats Comparison SEA DET First Downs 17 22 3rd Down Efficiency 3-10 5-8 4th Down Efficiency 1-2 0-0 Total Offense 299 390 Passing Yards 163 288 Rushing Yards 136 102 Penalties-Penalty Yards 1-0 2-20 Turnovers 3 2 Time of Possession 28:30 31:40

BOX SCORE

The Detroit Lions defeated the Seattle Seahawks 45-10 on Monday night, to improve to 4-0 on the season. Jared Goff tossed three touchdown passes, and threw for 288 yards. David Montgomery added two touchdowns on the ground, and had 66 yards. Amon-Ra St Brown, and Sam LaPorta each caught 8 passes, and each recorded a touchdown.

The Lions defense picked off Geno Smith three times. Brian Branch, Terrion Arnold, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr each had picks. Rakestraw's was a pick six.

The Lions have a bye week next week, then will travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys, starting a stretch of four road games in five weeks.

WEEK RESULTS

Thursday's Games

8:15 PM: COWBOYS 31 at GIANTS 25

Sunday's Games

1:00 PM: SAINTS 20 at FALCONS 17

1:00 PM: RAMS 35 at BEARS 12

1:00 PM: VIKINGS 26 at PACKERS 20

1:00 PM: STEELERS 10 at COLTS 17

1:00 PM: BRONCOS 17 at JETS 31

1:00 PM: EAGLES 24 at BUCCANEERS 7

1:00 PM: BENGALS28 at PANTHERS 17

1:00 PM: JAGUARS 20 at TEXANS 13

4:05 PM: COMMANDERS 31 at CARDINALS 32

4:05 PM: PATRIOTS 33 at 49ERS 41

4:25 PM: BROWNS 0 at RAIDERS 13

4:25 PM: CHIEFS 14 at CHARGERS 24

8:20 PM: BILLS 17 at RAVENS 24

Monday's Games

8:15 PM: SEAHAWKS 10 at LIONS 45

8:20 PM: TITANS 12 at DOLPHINS 31

2024 LIONS SCHEDULE/RESULTS

2024 NFL STANDINGS

2024 LIONS STATS

Follow my MICHIGAN WOLVERINES DYNASTY

[kdutch98]

WEEK 5 RESULTS

Thursday's Games

8:15 PM: BUCCANEERS 23 at FALCONS 15

Sunday's Games

9:30 AM: JETS 17 at VIKINGS 3

1:00 PM: PANTHERS 17 at BEARS 38

1:00 PM: RAVENS 23 at BENGALS 17

1:00 PM: DOLPHINS 35at PATRIOTS 27

1:00 PM: BROWNS 14 at COMMANDERS 6

1:00 PM: COLTS 17 at JAGUARS 31

1:00 PM: BILLS 42 at TEXANS 17

4:05 PM: RAIDERS 23 at BRONCOS 31

4:05 PM: CARDINALS 21 at 49ERS 35

4:25 PM: PACKERS 14 at RAMS 38

4:25 PM: GIANTS 10 at SEAHAWKS 3

8:20 PM: COWBOYS 34 at STEELERS 28

Monday's Games

8:15 PM: SAINTS 10 at CHIEFS 41

[redsox907]

youve been rolling offensively to start the season.

GL with this. I always root for the Lions to do good. And last year any franchise I did I tried to scoop up Jameo, dude is always open with his speed