Why the Lions could be Packers' No. 1 threat in NFC North

The most popular choice for which team can dethrone the Green Bay Packers, who have won the last three NFC North Titles, has been the Minnesota Vikings. The losses of All-Pro Davante Adams and deep threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling coupled with the signing of first-year head coach Kevin O'Connell, who plans to take Minnesota's offense to new heights in 2022, might help Minnesota give Green Bay a run for their money. However, an under-the-radar team like the Detroit Lions may be able to give Green Bay some trouble too.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell believes in his quarterback Jared Goff and loves the pieces they have around him. 

"I think Goff's in a real good place...Finished strong last year. I like the fact that we've got pieces around him that I think are going to help pull the most out of him. "We've got some pieces here that can complement each other that really will help him be the best that he can be," Campbell said in an interview with Peter King of NBC Sports. 

Lions second-year receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is coming off an outstanding rookie season in which he caught 90 passes. The team signed Pro Bowl receiver D.J. Chark to a one-year deal this offseason and selected Alabama's Jameson Williams in the first round in April's NFL Draft. Other key offensive pieces include Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson and running backs D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. Detroit's offense is very underrated. Defensively, they are group of veterans and youngsters. The team selected Aidan Hutchinson in the first round of April's draft. He will pair with veteran Michael Brockers on the edge. Veteran defensive backs include Tracy Walker, Mike Hughes and DeShon Elliott. It is an interesting defense, but it is one that can be dangerous if slept on.

Remember, the Detroit Lions did beat the Green Bay Packers when quarterback Aaron Rodgers started in Week 18 last season. Now, Rodgers didn't play in the second half, but Detroit held its own with Rodgers in the game and eventually got the win. The Lions have improved in the offseason, while Green Bay made smaller moves. The Lions and Dan Campbell will certainly play a lot of important games down the stretch in 2022, which might not be a good sign for the Packers and Vikings.