Why will Detroit Lions be contender for Wild Card spot in 2022 NFL season?
With a defence bolstered by Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions will have the fifth-easiest schedule in the 2022 season, facing just five teams that made the 2021 Playoffs.
After entering a new era in 2021 under Dan Campbell and without Matthew Stafford, it was little surprise that the Detroit Lions ended up at the bottom of the NFC North division. However, things look better for the coming campaign.
Draft pick Hutchinson a boost to Lions’ defence
The main reason Lions fans should be excited in 2022 is because their defence won’t be one of the worst in the NFL, thanks to the selection of Aidan Hutchinson with the second overall Draft pick.
The former Michigan defensive end will wreak havoc at the ends of the defensive line and put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Detroit mustered just 30 sacks in 2021, ranking 29th out of 32, and allowed 27.5 points per game, the second-worst record in the league.
Another reason the Lions could be competitive in the NFC North is that Jared Goff will have new targets in wide receivers Jameson Williams, acquired through the Draft, and DJ Chark, who was signed in free agency.
The Lions used their second first-round pick to bring in explosive Alabama receiver Williams, who entered training camp on the injured list, to help them generate more than the five completed passes of 40 or more yards they recorded in 2021.
Meanwhile, Chark is looking for a fresh start after four up-and-down years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where his high point was an invitation to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and his lowest was last year, a campaign in which he only played four games due to a broken ankle.
Detroit schedule among easiest in NFL
A further cause for optimism in Detroit is the fact that the Lions will have the fifth-easiest schedule in the 2022 season. Their rivals next season compiled a 135-154 record last year, and will include just five teams that made the 2021 Playoffs (the Bills, Packers, Patriots, Eagles and Cowboys).
Finally, it’s worth noting that the Lions finished 2021 with some positive offensive momentum, scoring 29 points in four of their last six games in the regular season.
Detroit Lions
Record in 2021: 3-13-1
Stadium: Ford Field
Super Bowl titles: 0
Head coach: Dan Campbell
Offensive coordinator: Ben Johnson
Defensive coordinator: Aaron Glenn
The Lions’ 2022 NFL schedule
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 |
| vs Eagles | vs Commanders | at Vikings | vs Seahawks | at Patriots |
| Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 |
| BYE | at Cowboys | vs Dolphins | vs Packers | at Bears |
| Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 |
| at Giants | vs Bills | vs Jaguars | vs Vikings | at Jets |
| Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | ||
| at Panthers | vs Bears | at Packers |