The Detroit Lions have come a long way. Before Dan Campbell became head coach, there was a glimmer of hope around the Lions, but not always a huge wave of expectations. Then, entering the 2023 season, Campbell’s Lions seemed to have the talent to really make a splash in the NFC. They won their first division title since winning the old NFC Central in 1993 and reached the NFC Championship Game before missing the Super Bowl.

Now, in 2024, expectations in the Motor City are huge. Many experts see the Lions as the biggest threat to the San Francisco 49ers in the conference. And according to Sports Illustrated, they will not only overtake the 49ers, but go all the way to the top.

The long-standing magazine has released its 2024 football preview and the Lions are the focus of the cover story, with quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell in the cover photo.

SI’s Conor Orr and Greg Bishop also have their predictions for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans and believe Campbell and his team will bring the Lombardi Trophy to Detroit for the first time in franchise history. It would be Detroit’s first NFL title since 1957.

“I think you just get a feel for some of these teams,” Orr said in an interview with the Detroit Free Press. “You know how complete they look, how well coached they are, but the Lions just seem to have all the biomarkers of a successful team. I mean, they look like the most complete team in football right now.”

The Lions’ hopes have never been higher than they are for the 2024 season. Time will tell if the Lions can accomplish what was once thought impossible.

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Sports Illustrated’s Super Bowl tip should make Detroit fans very happy