Detroit Lions’ Dominant Defense Looks To Win NFC North

By Travis Newville @travisto989 on October 27, 2014

One thing that the Detroit Lions of 2014 and the Lions of 2013 have in common is their feeling of control early in the season. Both teams got an early start on winning their first division title in more than 20 years, but only one those teams has a chance to still win it.

In 2013, the Lions started at 6-3, and they were in control of their own destiny. They had first place position in the NFC North; all they had to do was keep on winning. That’s when it happened. The Lions suffered a cataclysmic collapse at the hands of Jim Schwartz.

Fast forward almost an entire year later, and the Lions are in much the same position they were in before. They have the lead in the NFC North, and they look like they have a good shot of winning the division. This is the moment that the franchise has been waiting for. The chance of redemption is so close that the Lions can taste it.

So, what’s the difference between the two teams? It almost has to be their coaching. The Lions’ roster looks much the same as it did a year ago, but without a few key players. The Lions have come this far without guys like Calvin Johnson, Stephen Tulloch, Joseph Fauria, LaAdrian Waddle and Bill Bentley.

Teryl Austin has the Lions singing a different tune in 2014. The Lions are playing football defense first, and so far it has them winning games. The Lions have held their opponents to an NFL best 15.8 points per game. That includes holding the potent Green Bay Packers‘ offense to just seven points.

The Lions are once again poised to win a division title, but this year they don’t have to live and die by the arm of Matthew Stafford. For the first time in a very long time, the Lions are winning games defense first.

Travis Newville is a Detroit Lions writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @travisto989, or Like him on Facebook here. Add him to your Google network.