TWENTYMAN: 5 numbers to keep up

What it means: Opponent average starting field position

Twentyman: I include this number because the importance gets magnified considerably this season with the new kickoff rules in place to encourage returns. The fact that head coach Dan Campbell and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp schemed for teams to return kicks and emphasized covering them under the old rules should bode well as the league transitions to returns on just about every kick this season.

The Lions forced opponents to start drives inside their own 20-yard line the second most times among all 32 teams last season, second only to Green Bay. Detroit didn’t allow a single kickoff return to start in their own territory across the 50. Detroit plans to make covering kickoffs a weapon for them this year and they have a great base of production to work from.

What it means: The number of 20-plus yard plays recorded by Detroit’s offense

Twentyman: Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has put the big play back in Detroit’s offense. Only San Francisco (86) recorded more 20-plus yard gains than the Lions last season. The Lions’ 241 plays of 10-plus yards ranked third in the NFL.

Detroit had 16 big-play touchdowns of 20-plus yards last season, which were second only to Miami’s 19. The Lions scored 126 points outside the red zone, which was fifth best in the league. The ability to get big plays at a high clip and score anywhere on the field leaves a defense always on edge.