On Sunday, December 24, 2023, in Minneapolis, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) reacts to a play. (STACY BENGS, File/AP Photo)
The team won its first division title since 1993 and made it to the postseason for the first time since 1957; thus, even though the campaign ended with a painful loss in the NFC Championship Game, it will go down in history as a successful one.

It’s time to look back on the season and give the Lions some superlatives based on the previous one before we turn the page to 2024.

As he keeps getting better, St. Brown is someone exceptional the Lions have. With 1,515 receiving yards in 2023, he raised the standard even farther after topping 1,000 yards in his second season.

After just three seasons in the NFL, St. Brown has cemented himself as one of the top receivers in the league. When it comes to moving the chains, he has proven his skill. Including the postseason, St. Brown caught 141 receptions, of which 93 were for first downs.

He was selected in the fourth round, but his unwavering work ethic propelled him to the first team All-Pro selection. For the young wide receiver, the possibilities are endless.

Like in the previous season, Detroit’s offensive was formidable. That made it challenging to single out a single player. The excellent offensive line of Detroit, led by right tackle Penei Sewell, a first-team All-Pro selection, was also taken into consideration.

Though St. Brown was the most influential player of the bunch due to his All-Pro status and his ability to make plays at all levels of the route tree, Jared Goff did an excellent job leading the offense with a variety of weapons.

Despite not putting up the flashy stats that other top EDGE rushers in the league did, Hutchinson still had a significant influence. With 121 pressures, including playoffs, he topped the league.

He had a slump in the middle of the season, recording just two sacks between Weeks 6 and 16. But he recorded consecutive multi-sack games to wrap up the regular season with 11.5 yards.

He got sacks in both of the Lions’ postseason victories. He was able to exert more pressure on the passer, and his spin move was really effective.

In order to deflect some of the attention that opponents were focusing on him, the Lions will now need to locate or create a rusher to line up opposite him.

In other news, Week 13 saw defensive tackle Alim McNeill suffer a knee injury against New Orleans just as he was about to have a Pro Bowl season. Linebacker Alex Anzalone, meanwhile, reached 100 tackles for the second time in a row.

Talent abounds in Detroit’s rookie class; Brad Holmes hits home runs with each of his first four draft selections. In the end, all four players had a major role in the starting lineup.

LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs were the front-runners for this superlative because of the offense’s performance. LaPorta, though, has the advantage because of his capacity to act as Goff’s safety net in crucial situations.

He broke the record for the most receptions by a rookie tight end during his spectacular rookie season. In addition, the Iowa native scored 10 touchdowns, ranking second all-time among rookie tight ends.

Gibbs had 10 touchdowns and more than 1,000 scrimmage yards. In Week 1, Brian Branch changed the course of the game with a game-changing pick-six against the Chiefs. Branch also owned the nickel cornerback position.

Jack Campbell had a difficult start to the season but rebounded well towards the end, earning a spot in the starting lineup.

The development of the Lions’ role players was crucial to their success. But none of the players’ development was more noticeable at the end of the season than Melifonwu’s.

Melifonwu’s career has been ruined by injuries, since he missed a lot of time due to them. But he gradually made his way into the starting lineup, starting with the team’s defeat at Chicago in Week 14.

Following a subdued introduction to the starting lineup, he made a forceful entrance against the Broncos. Early in the game, he recorded a strip-sack, which set off his ascent.

He finished the regular season with three sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. Melifonwu was a vital member of the coverage unit and showed a talent for the Lions’ safety blitz ideas.

Another breakout player was Derrick Barnes, who, after a productive offseason, gained a spot in the starting lineup. Josh Reynolds was a vital member of the receiving corps on the offensive end.

Johnson was leading a Lions attack that was clicking. The coordinator showed once more that she was one of the league’s most inventive minds.

In 2023, Detroit finished fifth in rushing yards and fourth in throwing yards. The team was known for its ability to handle lulls in the third quarter, even if it occasionally appeared to be in control.

In the future, it will probably be the focus area because Johnson has committed to coming back after being a sought-after head coach.

Scottie Montgomery, the first-year coach of running backs, was in charge of a group that almost produced two 1,000-yard rushers. Regarded as a rising star on defense, Kelvin Sheppard faced more responsibilities coordinating with pass-rushers in addition to his linebackers.