USA TODAY projects Lions to win the NFC North for the 1st time

USA TODAY projects the Detroit Lions to win the NFC North for the 1st time in the division’s history

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Count at least one analyst at USA TODAY Sports as drinking the Honolulu Blue Kool-Aid in 2023.

In his annual team-by-team win prediction, Nate Davis jumps on the Detroit bandwagon. Davis bullishly projects an 11-6 finish and an NFC North division title — something the Lions have never done — for the Lions.

But the guess here is that a revamped secondary – part of a defense that ranked last overall in 2022 – an imposing offensive line, first-round RB Jahmyr Gibbs and a boost from second-year WR Jameson Williams (after his six-game gambling suspension ends) will give this club its first division title since 1993.

Moreover, the Lions are the only NFC North team projected here to finish with a winning record. Davis prophesizes the Bears, Packers and Vikings to all finish with matching 7-10 records in 2023.

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