Remember this is only Stafford's first full season (assuming he stays healthy the rest of the way). That's huge. He'll improve a ton just by playing that much. Plus I think Young will be better next year as well. Also LeShoure will be back too. You're right CJ could leave, but I don't see that happening. They're finally showing signs of moving in the right direction and are getting some wins, so I can see him staying.

As for other players, who knows. Mayhew has done a good job of getting quality players from all over the place, so I don't think that's suddenly going to stop. So, I think we'll still be a better team.

Is that moderately cheery enough for you?

Where's the improvement coming in the next season or two, though?

The FAs for this squad in the next season or two are quite significant. We'll be drafting mid rounds. CJ could well leave unless we get some success soon. Stafford looks like he could put a glass ceiling on this team's potential unless he becomes a more consistent QB.

All of this is massively pessimistic, I realise. Apologies for that. I'm kind of saying it because I'd love to have someone put me in my place and cheer me up!

(and, BTW, agree completely with you and M2k that expectations shot up thanks to the start. Pre-season I'd have taken 9-7, definitely. Now it feels like a let down)

The only way the Lions can finish 11-5 is if they go 5-2 in their remaining seven games, which means beating either Green Bay or New Orleans. They need to get lucky and have either the Packers or the Saints play against them the way they did against the Bears.