Last Word on Pro Football is analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL. We will be ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Detroit Lions easiest games are the focus.
Detroit Lions Easiest Games in 2017
9. Week 16 at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals had a disappointing season in 2016 after a strong campaign the year prior. A.J. Green went down with a hamstring injury late in the year, but expect him to return this year in full force and give defenses trouble. The addition of running back Joe Mixon could finally put the backfield debate to rest for Cincinnati. Expect the Bengals to use him often and effectively. A rebound year for Andy Dalton will be extremely important, and having another target opposite Green in John Ross will help him do so. Ross is an extremely quick downfield threat. He will be a perfect ying to Green’s yang in his size.
A healthy Tyler Eifert is unstoppable in the red zone. He will be a huge problem for whoever is tasked with covering him in the end zone. The Lions will have to control the ball for a majority of the game and keep this Bengals offense off the field to see true success. This is another game late in the year that could have playoff implications for both teams so expect physicality and even desperation at times.
10. Week 1 vs Arizona Cardinals
Even though the Cardinals had a less than stellar season last year, they still boast about the fact they have the best dual threat player in the NFL, David Johnson. Johnson is hands down one of the top three running back threats in the league, and his pass catching ability is stupendous as well. This is a player that has the potential to eclipse 2,500+ all-purpose yards in a single season.
The Cardinals secondary that was already strong with Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson gets even better with the addition of Budda Baker in the draft. Look for that group to make some plays and be a nuisance for the Lions passing game. If the Lions can get the ground game going in this week one home game, look for that to open up passing lanes over the top. The Lions will come out fired up as they enter the 2017-18 campaign at home in front of a rowdy Detroit crowd. Both teams will want to start the new season off on the right foot, and this one will be a good early test for both teams.
11. Week 12 vs Minnesota Vikings
Part two of this matchup will see the Lions return home. And it likely sees the home team win each game. This explains the parity in the rankings of the two games against the Vikings. The home game should be a much easier task for the Lions. Latavius Murray shouldn’t be able to have the same success he saw earlier in the year. Sam Bradford will have another solid outing with a likely high completion percentage, but the numbers that actually matter in the outcome will leave something to be desired.
The Vikings defense will be able to force the Lions into some mistakes, but will it be enough for them to pull out a road victory. This divisional rivalry game will be a grudge match and it will likely have major playoff implications being late in the year. Both teams will come out firing on all cylinders.
12. Week 6 at New Orleans Saints
The Saints are entering the 2017 season after a tough 2016 campaign, and an even tougher off-season. Losing Brandin Cooks is big, and another year of wear and age on Drew Brees is even bigger. Brees will still be the biggest threat in this game. The Lions will hope to keep the Saints offense in check, because with how poor the Saints defense is, they should be able to score at will.
Expect this game to be a shootout. It might even be the highest scoring game of the Lions’ season. Michael Thomas fantasy owners will have a field day as he should put up big numbers being Brees’ favorite target this year. Both defense will struggle to keep the opponent out of the end zone but the Saints might do so in a more pronounced manner. The fact that this is a road game makes it a slightly tougher game than the Panthers game a week prior. The SuperDome is always a tough place to play.
13. Week 5 vs Carolina Panthers
What happened to the Panthers? Two seasons ago they were in the Super Bowl, and then last year they were a total dud. Cam Newton just doesn’t look the same. And that offensive line is absolutely terrible. They did attempt to address the issue signing Matt Kalil to protect Newton’s blind side, but this is a move the Panthers front office might not like later on.
The Lions pass rush should have a field day getting to Newton. This being an early season home game for the Lions ranks it behind a few other games later on in the season when there are teams playing for potential playoff spots. The Panthers will likely still be trying to figure things out at this point in the season. A fresh Lions team should look to take care of business at home in this one.
14. Week 11 at Chicago Bears
There’s not much that will be less difficult than playing the Bears on the road this season, except when playing them at home. The Bears are headed for an expected down year with young players likely struggling to find their own. Divisional road games are always a tough task, especially when Jordan Howard is running the football. He was one of the premier backs in the league last year and gave the Lions trouble. If Mike Glennon falters, this may be rookie Mitch Trubisky‘s first opportunity to see the Lions.
The Lions have the talent across all other facets to outlast the hometown Bears in this one. This game will be closer than the next time these two face off, but Stafford should carry them to victory. The Lions should handle this road game. Back-to-back soft games for the Lions should be a nice morale booster going into a tough stretch.
15. Week 15 vs Chicago Bears
The Bears look like a team struggling to find their identity. Fortunately for the Lions, they play that Chicago team twice in a season being in the same division. Since this is the home game of the two, it ranks one slot easier on their schedule. The game could have major playoff implications for the Lions, so expect them to come into this one fired up. Each team will likely keep a similar game plan to what they put out a few weeks prior in Chicago.
Expect the Bears’ offense to run through Jordan Howard, and the Lions to continue riding their franchise quarterback’s back. The home team should look to take care of business, as they seem to be the better team almost all across the board and with much more to play for this late in the season The Bears will need more than just a superior backfield to beat a playoff hopeful Lions team.
16. Week 10 vs Cleveland Browns
The Browns are clearly one of the weakest teams in the league. They should be able to improve on their one win from a season ago, but don’t expect a large jump. After a tough game on the road against the Packers, the Lions will happily welcome the Browns into town. Cody Kessler was solid in the short time that he played for the Browns, but don’t expect it to be a big enough difference maker. He may not even be the starter with the quarterback carousel they have in Cleveland. They should be able to handle this one as the superior team. The fact being this is also a home game as well only widens the gap even more so.
Isaiah Crowell will likely give the Lions defense fits at times, but those fits should be few and far between which will allow the Lions defense to get into a groove throughout the game. The Browns did well in the draft to add to their defense, but Matthew Stafford and the rest of that Lions offense have the versatility and experience to adjust where needed to score enough to get the “W.” This should be a win for the home team barring the Lions coming in already looking on to week 11.
Be sure to check out the eight most difficult games of the 2017 Detroit Lions schedule.
