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The Detroit Lions' season is in shambles. Their playoff hopes were all but dashed by the Green Bay Packers and their schedule is downright nasty the rest of the way. Perhaps now is a good time to look ahead to the offseason—a time when all their problems can be solved.

Hypothetically.

What do the Lions need to do to take the next step? After a successful 2011 campaign, many people thought they had already done it.

They made the playoffs and were returning basically the same team. Hopes were pinned on the continued dominance of their offense.

Despite gaudy passing numbers, that hasn't happened.

So, it's back to the drawing board for Lions' GM Martin Mayhew and coach Jim Schwartz. They won't blow the team up. There's too much talent for that. However, changes need to be made. They are clearly going in the wrong direction.

Here's the blueprint for offseason moves the Lions need to make to return to the playoffs in 2013.