Over the last couple of years, the Detroit Lions have become not only one of the NFL‘s best teams, but also one of the league’s most popular teams. They have turned into something of a sentimental favorite across Middle America, and their quick and unexpected rise may have something to do with their popularity.
For some three decades, the Lions were a moribund franchise despite possessing great players such as legendary running back Barry Sanders, star quarterback Matthew Stafford and Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
But coach Dan Campbell led a resurgence while building a winning culture, and as a result, Detroit has won a total of 27 games and back-to-back NFC North titles over the last two years.
One of the biggest keys to the team’s success has been its tag-team running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Last year, the two combined to score 32 total touchdowns, with Montgomery contributing 12 of them.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 24: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 and David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions celebrate a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lions…
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 24: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 and David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions celebrate a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lions RB David Montgomery is listed as active, along with Amon-Ra St. Brown.
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He said that the Lions’ offensive line has enabled him to be the player he has become.
“For me, it makes my job so much easier,” Montgomery told Athlon Sports. “I got some great guys up front. They are amazing.”
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Experts seem to be a bit divided on exactly how good Detroit’s offensive line is. ESPN ranked it 16th among the NFL‘s 32 teams, but Sharp Football Analysis rated it third, with only the Denver Broncos and the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles ahead of Detroit.
Three Lions offensive linemen made the Pro Bowl in 2024: center Frank Ragnow, left tackle Taylor Decker and right tackle Penei Sewell. While Ragnow announced his retirement this offseason, that offensive line should still be able to create plenty of holes for Gibbs and Montgomery.
One factor in that position group’s success in 2024 was the fact that it committed very few holding and false start penalties.
“Being able to have those guys care about you as much as they do and put everything on the line for you, it makes me realize these guys care about you and the only option is to give them all you got,” Montgomery continued about his offensive line.
The Lions’ defense has been a work in progress, but they improved to seventh in points allowed while giving up the second-fewest touchdown passes last year. They have two promising young safeties in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, and the return of defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson should greatly help.
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Granted, the departures of former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, both of whom helped Campbell build the Lions’ winning culture, will likely hurt. There are also those who don’t fully trust quarterback Jared Goff in big games, especially after he threw three interceptions in the team’s divisional round loss to the Washington Commanders in January.
But if the Eagles won’t repeat as world champions, the Lions may have the best chance of snatching the Vince Lombardi Trophy from them.
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