Week 9 is over and done with. Now it's time for us to look back at the first half of the Detroit Lions season. That's just what we're going to do. All this week we're going to be doing a series of mid-season articles. We'll be talking about both the good and the bad of this year so far. Here's what we've done so far:
- Lions mid-season rookie report cards
- Lions mid-season MVP's
- Lion's mid-season grades for offense, defense and special teams
- Biggest disappointments of the Lions season so far
I told you when we did the disappointments article that we would come back and do a good side of that. Here's the three biggest surprises of the Lions season so far.
Alex Anzalone
When the Lions signed Anzalone to a new deal in March, people were a bit confused. The thought process was that the Lions needed to nearly redo their linebacker unit. That's why they drafted Jack Campbell right?
Then Anzalone decided to go out there and paly the best football of career. He's playing so well that the Lions have moved Campbell over to defensive end. How good has Anzalone been? He went from a 59.2 Pro Football Focus grade in 2022 to a 72.6 grade this season. It should be higher, but he got a really weird grade on Monday night after a game full of big moments.
Sam LaPorta
I say it all the time, but it really isn't normal what LaPorta is doing right now. Most rookie tight ends have something like 30 catches for 350 yard and two touchdowns in their entire rookie year. LaPorta is fourth in receptions, fourth in yards and second in touchdowns among all tight ends in the NFL.
LaPorta is going to be in the conversation for Rookie of the Year when the season is over with. We knew this guy would be good, nobody knew he'd be this good.
The Lions defense
I know there's a section of the Lions fan base that wants him fired as soon as the Lions lose a game, but Glenn has really turned this Lions defense around in a big way. They're the second best run stopping team in the league and while they could use some work on the pass side of things, they've largely improved on that end as well.
The Lions offense was supposed to be the big strength that could help drag their defense over the finish line. Instead the Lions have become a complete team that's good in all three phases. The future is bright for this very young unit.
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