Lions' projected win total for 2026 should thrill Dan Campbell

There's a lot of nervousness around the Detroit Lions' upcoming season, because it's really a make-or-break time for the franchise. The Super Bowl window hasn't closed. This team still has an elite offense. But, they didn't perform like it last season.

The Lions ended the 2025-26 season at the bottom of the NFC North. The only good thing that came out of that is the team getting a slightly easier schedule this season. So, that's a good thing.

But, it could be a good year for the Lions. They may rebound. That's what one NFL analyst thinks when looking at this team.

Lions projected to win the NFC North

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report has given the Lions a projected record of 11-6 this season. What's even better is that it's the highest projected record in the NFC North.

In the piece, Davenport points out that the Lions have solid players on offense and defense.

"Offensively, Detroit has an assemblage of talent that rivals any in the NFL, and the Lions have a solid veteran quarterback in Jared Goff," he says. "In players like edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson and linebacker Jack Campbell, there's young talent on defense."

He adds, "There are potential issues in the defensive backfield, and those issues are going to cost the Lions a couple of wins this year. But the Lions will still be good enough to win the NFC North and get back into the postseason tournament."

As has been the case with the Lions, the determining factor here will be defense. If the Lions' defense holds, and everyone stays healthy, they'll be a team to beat.