Five Teams On The Way Up, Five On Way Out Of Playoff Picture
Detroit -- For the first time in a decade, the Lions are dealing with expectations ... and it's about time. "We need to get to the point where expectations aren't news," coach Jim Schwartz said. "We're still at that point, and that shows where we are as a team. We haven't done it yet. I'm sure if you were up in New England right now, and you would say, 'Hey, how are you guys handling the expectations?' they would be like, 'Geez, what's new? It's been like this for the last decade.' That's where we expect to go: where expectations aren't news." It took the organization a decade to dig out of the debris of Matt Millen's draft and personnel decisions, but the Lions are back, they're improved and they could be playoff ready. One problem: The division. They live on the same block as Green Bay and Chicago. One won the Super Bowl; the other won the division. Another problem: The uncertain future of quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Lions insist he's not injury prone, and, for their sake, I hope so. But he missed more games (19) in two seasons than he played (13). If he's OK, they're OK. He looks sensational this summer and has weapons around him to flourish. Detroit also has an improved pass defense to keep opponents in check, with the addition of defensive tackle Nick Fairley (if he recovers from that foot injury) and an improved group of linebackers trouble for opponents.
Potential land mine: The running game. The loss of rookie Mikel Leshoure was huge. Plus, Jahvid Best just suffered a concussion. Jerome Harrison's not the answer, folks. This bears watching.
St. Louis -- The Rams should've won the NFC West last season ... and would have
