Midweek Musings - What’s Your Hot Take for the 2021 Season?

As the calendar flips to June, with summer camp just 2 months away, and the 100-day countdown in full effect, I can’t help but get a little antsy in the pantsy. And no, that has nothing to do with that bottle of syrup I just chugged.

I’m sitting here pondering the 2021 season, and just how much of an unknown it is. Will the offense be good with Yurcich and Clifford? Will the OL be a strength? Can the DL figure things out? Will defensive playcalling not be terrible? Will the schedule be too tough for the team? Will they come out swinging and enter the top 5 after a 3-0 start?

So many questions. So I’m sitting here, thinking about all of the unknowns, which leads me down a fun series of “what if” moments.

So we want to know: what is your hot taek for the 2021 season? What sort of off-the-wall thing will happen that will completely change the shape of the season for the Lions?

I’ll start.

I think Sean Clifford returns to form, and exceeds his 2019 output.

In 2019, Cliff threw for 2,654 yards at a 59.2% completion percentage, good for 23 TDs and 7 INTs. He also added in 402 rushing yards and 5 TDs on the ground.

For one, I think the 2020 season just completely jacked Clifford up, between COVID and a new offensive system which he never really seemed to settle into. Losing his top two RBs, going into “hero ball” mode, and generally just doing too much, all seemed to throw the Lions top QB off his game, and it took him until the last third of the season to regain his mojo.

The OL should actually be okay this year, with two really good tackles. The RBs are actually known quantities now, as are Jahan Dotson, Parker Washington, and Brenton Strange. The team will get a full off-season of in-person study sessions, workouts, and practices.

This is going to be Cliff’s stat line in 2021:

3,000+ passing yards, 65%+ completion percentage, 30+ TDs, 5 INTs. 500+ rushing yards and 7+ rushing TDs.

Let’s get spicy y’all!