The Detroit Lions started off the season hot but they quickly fell off and it's been another disappointing year in the Motor City. Every year it seems Lions fans think next year is going to be their year, and every year it turns out not to happen. This season there were some positives and a lot of negatives to take away from the season. Let's breakdown the five biggest takeaways.

5. Maybe Patriots coaches can't be good head coaches

Matt Patricia is another coach that came from the Bill Belichick tree and it looks like the Lions might have been duped bringing him in to be the coach. Patricia is a defensive coach but he hasn't provided much to the defense. Heading into Week 17 the Lions are giving up 26.7 points per game which is 26th in all of football. The offensive struggles can be understood this year, but a defensive coach should have been able to improve the defense.

4. The future is bright with Kerryon Johnson

Running back Kerryon Johnson missed a lot of the season because of injuries, but he still has all the makings of a star in the league. Going into Week 17, Johnson has rushed 102 times for 350 yards and two touchdowns. If he can stay healthy, running back is one of the few positions that the Lions don't have to worry about going forward.

3. Darius Slay needs to be a part of the future

Darius Slay has made it clear he wants to stay with the Lions and the team needs to lock him up long term. There aren't many bright spots from the defense, but Slay has proven to be one of the best cornerbacks in the league. If the team lets him go this offseason, the team is going to have a hard time replacing him, and the defense is going to be even worse.

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2. Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. are good no matter who is throwing them the ball

Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. stats did suffer a little bit after Matthew Stafford was lost for the season, but these are two wideouts who are going to get open no matter who is slinging the rock.

Not having Stafford might have actually made these two guys better and that is going to be a big bonus for an offense that is really good when they have their star quarterback under center.

1. Without Matthew Stafford the Lions offense is nothing

The Lions probably don't have next years backup quarterback on their roster right now, because this is a bad offense without Matthew Stafford. The team has tried David Blough and Jeff Driskel and neither have a future in the NFL as a starting quarterback. Blough doesn't look comfortable playing in the NFL and the team needs to go out and sign a veteran this offseason.

They also can't afford Stafford going down with an injury next season or they are going to lose a lot of ballgames. The team might want to look at drafting a quarterback in the second or third round to groom to be a solid backup behind him.