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Ranking the NFC North teams that have improved the most

By Brandon Carwile

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Center Olin Kreutz #57 of the Chicago Bears prepares to snap the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Center Olin Kreutz #57 of the Chicago Bears prepares to snap the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions of the Detroit Lions directs his team against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions of the Detroit Lions directs his team against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

4. Detroit Lions

Key Additions: TE Luke Wilson, RB LeGarrette Blount, OL Frank Ragnow, RB Kerryon Johnson

Key Losses: DT Haloti Ngata, TE Eric Ebron

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The Lions front seven is the worst in the division even with Ezekiel Ansah under a franchise tag. Without him, there’s no telling where Detroit would have gotten their pass rush from.

Instead, the cardiac kittens are banking on a fresh approach from the defensive-minded Matt Patricia who is entering his first head coaching job in the NFL. He’s spent the past five years as the defensive coordinator in New England where he was known for being an innovator. But, what does that mean for the offense?

The Lions rushing attack has been dead last in two of the last three seasons and they haven’t seen anyone go for over 100 yards in five years. They also haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2004 and it doesn’t appear the streak is nearing its end. Detroit brought in LeGarrette Blount who is 31 and drafted Kerryon Johnson out of Auburn to try and correct this. This tandem will be running behind a new and improved blocking front hoping to build off of a 9-7 season.

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