Former All-Pro WR not sold on Lions as serious postseason threat

Larry Fitzgerald Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former All-Pro WR not sold on Lions as serious threat in the playoffs

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 12/28/23

For the first time in three decades, the Detroit Lions are celebrating a division championship.

The 11-4 Lions, who are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers for the best record in the NFC, have double-digit wins for the first time since 2014 and are in contention for the conference’s No. 1 seed, but not everyone is sold on them being a legit force in the postseason.

Former Arizona Cardinals All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald is one of them, stating during the latest episode of the “Let’s Go” podcast, which he hosts with Tom Brady and Jim Gray, that he’s not a believer in Detroit given its track record of mediocrity.

“Look, you can say that I’m the Grinch right now, but a team that hasn’t won a division championship since 1993, it’s hard for you to take them that serious,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s just been a long time coming. Yes, they’re playing really well, but they are the Detroit Lions. It’s just tough to get excited about what they can do in the playoffs. You want to see this great matchup they have against the Cowboys. It’s a wonderful test before they go into the playoffs.”

#Lions HC Dan Campbell called the timing of this Dallas game "perfect." He said you couldn't "write a better script," because "it gives you a real idea of where you're at because this is one of the top teams in the NFC and we're out at their place where they play their best."
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) December 28, 2023

While Fitzgerald’s trepidation is understandable given Detroit's 16 losing seasons and only three playoff appearances since 2000, the team has made major strides in head coach Dan Campbell’s third season.

The Lions rank third in total offense and fifth in scoring offense, and quarterback Jared Goff ranks third in the top 10 in passing yards (third), touchdowns (third) and passer rating (sixth), while receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is tied for third in the NFL in receptions, fifth in receiving yards and seventh in touchdowns (eight).

Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs both also rank in the top 12 in the league in rushing yards and touchdowns. Detroit’s defense also improved from 32nd last year to 15th this season, and its run defense improved from 29th to fourth.

With a victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday or the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 7, the Lions would reach the 12-win plateau for the first time since 1991. That season, Detroit also won its division (the defunct NFC Central) and recorded its only playoff win since the merger in 1970.

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