By Blessing 
If the Detroit Lions take a step backward this season, their division rivals will be all smiles. That’s the scenario Bleacher Report explored in a recent analysis predicting both the best- and worst-case outcomes for Detroit after a dominant 15-2 campaign in 2024.
Writer Alex Ballentine broke down what could happen to the Lions, especially on offense, as they navigate big changes heading into the new season. According to Ballentine, the best-case scenario sees the offensive core—Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, David Montgomery, and Jahmyr Gibbs—continue to lead the charge, even without center Frank Ragnow and with a new offensive coordinator at the helm. Given the chemistry and talent still in place, that optimistic outlook isn’t too far-fetched.
But the worst-case scenario is where things get tense, and a lot of it hinges on Ragnow’s absence.
With the longtime center no longer anchoring the line, Ballentine warns of major potential issues. He explains, “In most cases, the three most important people involved in scheming an offense are the play-caller, quarterback and center. The pivot is an overlooked position, but the communication between the snapper and the QB is crucial to sorting out protections and making adjustments at the line.”
That kind of disruption could be exactly what NFC North opponents like the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have been waiting for. Those teams are already on Detroit’s heels, and even a small dip in performance could open the door for one of them to rise to the top of the division.
Ballentine notes that if Detroit regresses from “elite to just above average,” it could tilt the division’s balance of power. That scenario becomes more believable when you consider the challenge of replacing a player like Ragnow, who played such a key role in line communication and protection schemes.
Detroit is trying to plug that massive gap with veteran Graham Glasgow and rookie Tate Ratledge. While there’s hope that depth and talent can soften the blow, expecting anyone to immediately match Ragnow’s level is unrealistic.
Despite this, the Lions are still positioned as NFC North favorites, thanks to offensive continuity and new defensive additions like D.J. Reed in the secondary. But if things don’t click as expected—particularly with whoever takes over at center—the division could suddenly become a lot more competitive.
And if that happens, the rest of the NFC North won’t hesitate to pounce.