Detroit Lions 2015 Preview Capsule

DETROIT LIONS (11-6)

New faces: DTs Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker, RB Ameer Abdullah, Gs Laken Tomlinson and Manny Ramirez.

Key losses: DTs Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, RB Reggie Bush, C Dominic Raiola, G Rob Sims, DE George Johnson.

Strengths: DE, LB.

Weaknesses: DT.

What's New: Suh and Fairley left via free agency, and although the Lions traded for Ngata, he began training camp limited by a hamstring injury. Detroit still hopes to repeat last year's excellent defensive performance, and LB Stephen Tulloch returns after missing most of 2014 with a knee injury. Abdullah has impressed during the preseason, and if RB Joique Bell shakes off his injury issues, the running game could be improved.

Fantasy Tip: Abdullah might not even qualify as a sleeper anymore because he's already received plenty of attention, but keep an eye on TE Joseph Fauria. He was limited to seven games during an injury-plagued 2014 season, but as a rookie in 2013, he caught seven touchdown passes.

Expectations: The Lions have won one postseason game in the last half-century, and after coming close last season in a loss at Dallas, Detroit has to show it can withstand the loss of Suh on the defensive front. Another playoff berth is certainly possible, but the Lions have a lot to prove on both sides of the ball.

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.