5 burning questions: Will Lions make playoffs?

With training camp just six days away, there are several questions surrounding a Detroit Lions team that won 11 games and earned a playoff berth in 2014.

Free Press apprentices Jonathan LeBlanc and James Johnson answer five important questions surrounding the Lions and give their predictions for the upcoming season.

Will quarterback Matthew Stafford improve on last year and take that next step?

LeBlanc: He will; however, his decision making needs to improve, and he needs more consistency. Throwing eight interceptions on the opponent's side of the field – including three red zone picks – like he did last season will not cut it if he wants to take the next step. As an offensive coach said of Stafford in a recent ESPN article ranking the league's quarterbacks, "No doubt he is a (tier) 2 and I love him, but something is missing."

Stafford has passion and can throw the ball down the field. If he can fix his issues, he will get it done this season.

Johnson: Yes, he will progress due to his team improving around him. With the running game strengthened, per the additions on the offensive line and increased depth at running back, Stafford will not have the weight of the entire offense to hold and shouldn't have to throw as much. But he must work on his decision-making and his red zone percentages if he wants to take his game to the next level.

Will the defensive line produce like it has in recent years despite major losses?

JL: For this season, they won't entirely fill the void left by Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and George Johnson, but they will get the job done. They won't be a top three defensive line, but they will be top 10. However, I am concerned about the future of this position group because Haloti Ngata, 31, and Jason Jones, 29, are both on the downside of their careers.

JJ: The defensive line will try to fill the gap Suh left and will be just average, ranking somewhere in the top 15. The d-line, however, will struggle as the years go by unless key additions are made. But for 2015, they'll be fine.

Will the Lions win the NFC North?

JL: They won't. As long as the Packers are in the division, the Lions can't win it. They have questions in the running game and the defensive line needs to prove itself after the losses of Suh, Fairley, Johnson and C.J. Mosley. Sure, Ngata is nice, but it may be too big of a gap to fill. Yes, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick are nice complements to Joique Bell, but games haven't been played yet and, until then, the running game that ranked 28th in yards last season is still in question. Also, the Vikings could be tougher this year with the return of Adrian Peterson, the addition of receiver Mike Wallace and a solid defense.

Overall, the Lions will have a tougher time in the division this year and won't be good enough to win the NFC North.

JJ: Yes. People forget that the division title was not settled until Week 17, when the Lions lost to the Packers, 30-20, at Lambeau Field. In the off-season, the Lions did lose a big piece in Suh, but they lessened the blow by adding Ngata. The release of Reggie Bush may have been the best move they made because Bell is a better fit. He and Riddick will create a great one-two combo. The return of a healthy Calvin Johnson and rehabilitated Stephen Tulloch, who remains one of the better linebackers in the league, will only strengthen the team.

Will the Lions make the playoffs?

JL: The Lions may not have enough firepower to win the division, but they have enough to slide into the playoffs as the sixth seed. I have the Lions, Eagles, Cardinals and Panthers battling for the two wild card spots and I give the edge to the Lions and Eagles.

JJ: Yes, they will win the division.

What will the Lions' record be this season?

JL: I can see the Lions ending up in the 9-7 to 11-5 range. If they win two out of their first four games - at San Diego, at Minnesota, vs. Denver and at Seattle - they'll be in good shape. The schedule eases up the rest of the way, yet knowing they will lose some games they shouldn't, I have them at 10-6.

JJ: The Lions will finish with double-digit wins. The first four games will be challenging, but as we all know, just as the Lions lose games they should win, last year they shocked multiple teams. I have them finishing with the best case scenario, 12-4, because of a favorable schedule.