Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy has backed the Detroit Lions to build on their successful 2014 campaign next season.

The Lions competed for the NFC North title with the Green Bay Packers and were only denied by Mike McCarthy's men in the final game of the season.

Jim Caldwell's side still reached the playoffs, but were defeated in the wildcard round by the Dallas Cowboys.

However, Dungy feels that he has seen enough improvement from the young players of the team to suggest that they will improve in the 2015 season.

"The first year is teaching what you want and really getting the guys to buy in," Dungy told the Lions' website. "I think that's what happened with the Lions.

"They started winning some games they hadn't won in the past, overcoming adversity, and you could see them really buying in.

"Now, this year, that foundation is there and now it's building on it. Some of those young players, I think, are really going to come together and really take off."

The Lions open their 2015 season with a trip to face the San Diego Chargers.