When the Lions schedule was released this past Thursday, I saw some really intriguing games as well as some where a win will be tough. Here are my early season predictions for the team this year.
An Early Look at the Detroit Lions Schedule
Week 1: at San Diego Chargers
This is a tough first game to start the season, especially against a revamped Chargers offense taking on depleted Lions defense that will try and figure out their personnel. Loss (0-1)
Week 2: at Minnesota Vikings
If Adrian Peterson is back with Minnesota, this will be his first home game with the team. The Lions are one of his favorite teams to run against and I see the loss of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley being felt in full effect this game. Loss (0-2)
Week 3: vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday Night Football)
With the first home game of the season being in the national spotlight, I see the Lions coming out fired up and ready to go against Peyton Manning. Win (1-2)
Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks (Monday Night Football)
It’s never easy to win with the 12th man at full volume and I don’t see the Lions being able to overcome it, especially on Monday Night Football. Loss (1-3)
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Even though Arizona has shown that they have had Detroit’s number the past few years, it has been because every time the Lions play Arizona, it’s in Glendale. With the Cardinals coming to Ford Field in 2015, I feel that a little bit of payback is due. Win (2-3)
Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears
Detroit has dominated Chicago the past two years, sweeping them in the season series. I don’t see much changing here since the Bears are rebuilding on offense while Detroit is quite established. Win (3-3)
Week 7: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Lions’ Den will be defended during this three-game home stretch and they should be able to contain Adrian Peterson and the Vikings offense by forcing turnovers. Win (4-3)
Week 8: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (London)
The Lions have experience in London and know what the time change is like. This will be a tough grinder of a game that starts at 9:30 AM ET but I still see the Lions coming out on top. Win (5-3)
Week 9 bye
Week 10: at Green Bay Packers
The Lions haven’t won in Green Bay since I’ve been alive and I don’t expect anything to change. Loss (5-4)
Week 11: vs. Oakland Raiders
With the Lions in the playoff hunt during this time in the season, I definitely don’t see them struggling with this game. Win (6-4)
Week 12: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Thanksgiving Day)
Detroit has looked really good the past few years on Thanksgiving. I see them playing motivated again and taking this one in a high scoring affair against the new look Eagles. Win (7-4)
Week 13: vs. Green Bay Packers (Thursday Night Football)
The Lions will come out fired up and prepared to battle with NFC North foe Green Bay, especially given the struggles the Packers have had in Detroit the past few years. Win (8-4)
Week 14: at St. Louis Rams
The Rams are going to be my sleeper team this year because of all the acquisitions they’ve made these past few seasons. I see the Lions really struggling in St. Louis. Loss (8-5)
Week 15: at New Orleans Saints (Monday Night Football)
If they can pull it off, this will be the biggest win of the season for the team. Playing a tough road game like this and being able to come out on top will determine that the Lions are for real. Win (9-5)
Week 16: vs. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco’s offseason could be characterized as a train wreck in many ways. I see this carrying over to the regular season and the Lions being able to take advantage of it. Win (10-5)
Week 17: at Chicago Bears
At this point in the season I feel that the Bears won’t be throwing their best out there on the final game of the season while the Lions will be playing for an important seed in the playoffs. Win (11-5)
An 11-5 prediction for the Lions is pretty bold, especially after losing Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. But this year I think the offense will shine and be able to put up points when needed. The playoffs are definitely a fair expectation for 2015. Now it just depends on what they can do when they make it.
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