The revival of the Detroit Lions has been one of the best NFL storylines the past two years. Detroit snapped a playoff win drought that spanned over three decades and just capped off a team record 15-win regular season.
The success of the team has obviously been noticed by one of the city's favorite sons: Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders.
“What coach (Dan) Campbell has done, what (general manager) Brad Holmes has done has been miraculous," Sanders said to USA TODAY Sports on behalf of Sleep Number. "It really goes back to every decision that they made, personnel wise and how they treat the players. Coach Campbell's in-game philosophy, he's really changed the story about the Lions.
"You see how he does things like going for it on fourth down, giving his team so many more opportunities. And it's not even a question, right? So much of everything that's happened can be attributed to what they've done and their philosophy. That's why I feel confident going forward. They have the ingredient, and they understand the kind of players they're looking for. I'm excited to see what we do next season.”
The Lions are one of 12 NFL teams to have never won a Super Bowl. Sometimes teams get close before they finally get over the hump. The Philadelphia Eagles just won their second Super Bowl title. But before that quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Eagles were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 57 and they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round the following year.
Detroit’s gotten close the previous two seasons.
The San Francisco 49ers rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat the Lions in the 2023 NFC championship game. Last season ended unceremoniously as the NFC’s No. 1 seed Lions lost to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs. Detroit had 16 players on injured reverse at the time of their playoff loss to Washington. Injuries certainly took a toll on the team down the stretch.
Yet, Sanders believes the agony of defeat the last two years could be beneficial for the Lions going forward.
“I hope the experience we had in 2023 against the Niners was a learning experience. And even this year, winning home field advantage and losing to a young Commanders team. Hopefully that was a learning experience. All those things I think can help a team understand what it takes when you get into the playoffs. (Playoff) football is a different monster,” Sanders said. “Sometimes it just takes kind of getting there and getting close and not quite getting there. If you have the good fortune of being in that situation again, then you realize there is no margin for error or very little margin for error.”
One of the main reasons Sanders believes the Lions have the capability to get over the hump is the two-headed monster they boast in the backfield. David Montgomery’s averaged over four yards a carry and has 25 rushing touchdowns in two seasons in Detroit. While Jahmyr Gibbs has emerged as a star. Gibbs compiled a career-high 1,412 rushing yards in his sophomore season and led the NFL with 20 touchdowns from scrimmage.
“I think it's the best dual combo in the NFL. David Montgomery, he's been a great running back in the NFL for many years. Putting him with this Lions offensive line, and then you see what Jahmyr Gibbs was able to do last season,” Sanders said. “I feel like last year was more of a breakout season for (Gibbs). He eclipsed 1,000 yards. Just the type of exciting, dynamic plays that he's able to make. His speed and his vision. They are the best duo in the in the NFL, and there's no reason to believe that's going to change anytime soon. If a Super Bowl is in our future, in the near future, then you would think that those two guys would be a big part of it.”
The combination of Gibbs and Montgomery running behind a stout offensive line, combined with four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Jared Goff, two-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and what's slated to be a healthy defense, the Lions remain a contender and are projected to win their third straight NFC North title. Maybe past experiences can help propel the Lions if they earn another playoff berth.
“We still have a great nucleus. We still have coach (Dan) Campbell and we’re still one of the top teams in the NFC,” Sanders said. “We won the division again last year. Minnesota isn’t far behind, but I feel like we’re still the team to beat in that division.”
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Detroit Lions turnaround has been 'miraculous' says Barry Sanders
