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 most difficult games are the focus.
Detroit Lions Most Difficult Games in 2017
1. Week 2 at New York Giants
This will be the toughest game on the Lions schedule this season. The Giants have one of the most physical and strongest defenses in the league. Their pass rush is going to give the Lions offense plenty of problems. Expect the new-look Lions offensive line to struggle on the road in this early season matchup as they still look to figure out how to gel together. Odell Beckham Jr. will be a tough task for the Lions top secondary. The addition of Brandon Marshall on the other sideline will force the Lions safeties to remain honest against OBJ, which will open things up for both players.
The Giants looked to improve the passing game in the offseason and gave quarterback Eli Manning a couple more big options to throw the ball to. Marshall was picked up in free agency, and tight end Evan Engram was snagged in the draft. Ingram expects to see plenty of usage in what is expected to be an exciting offense. Even with all the hype about the Giants offense, the defense will be their shining star. The Lions will have to play their best game of the year to take this road win in New York.
2. Week 9 at Green Bay Packers
The dreaded road game at Lambeau Field. That historic stadium has never been friendly to the Lions, and this is no different. Aaron Rodgers will be in midseason form along with the rest of that Green Bay Packers offense. The Packers have one of the best passing attacks in the league, and should be able to show that in this week. This two-game stretch for the Lions is a true gauntlet. This is also the first time new Lions guard T.J. Lang will get a shot at his former team. The Lions will be looking to come back strong after a tough game the week before.
Expect this one to be a shootout as the Packers are decimated on defense, and their offense is just that good. The big saving grace in this one for the Lions is at least they don’t have to play in the frozen tundra of Lambeau in December. The Packers will likely get out to an early lead, and the Lions will do what they do best and chip away at it late. Hopefully they will put themselves within striking distance late with an opportunity to win. This one will be close and one of the best (or worst) games of the year for the Lions fans.
3. Week 3 vs Atlanta Falcons
The returning NFC champions will look to continue their offensive dominance early on the road against the Lions. Once again, Julio Jones will be un-coverable, and the backfield duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman will cause defensive coordinators to struggle with game-planning as both are excellent dual threat backs.
The Falcons defense hopefully improved along the line. The additions of Dontari Poe in free agency and Takkarist McKinley are a step in the right direction. The Lions will be looking to try to stifle the Falcons prolific offense by keeping their own offense on the field as long as possible. If the Lions can get the ground game going against a less than stellar rush defense of the Falcons, they will have a real shot at taking this early home test.
4. Week 8 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are just a ridiculously good team. And they may have gotten even better this year. With the return of Martavis Bryant and the addition of JuJu Smith-Schuster, the already prolific Steelers offense only gets better. As usual, Antonio Brown will continue to dominate opposing secondaries, and Le’Veon Bell will be excellent as always.
The Lions defense will certainly be hard-pressed to contain such a bevy of playmakers. However, if they are able to slow down Ben Roethlisberger and the rest of that Steelers offense they can set themselves up with a shot late. But if the Steelers jump out to an early lead, expect them to not look back. This one will be a tough way to comeback after a bye week for the Lions.
5. Week 17 vs Green Bay Packers
The always tough Week 17 game against the Green Bay Packers. This game somehow always seems to have extreme importance in the Lions’ season. And they always seem to find a way to lose in unbelievable fashion. Let’s not forget the Matt Flynn 480 yard/six touchdown game. This year should be no different in how important this game is for each team.
Rodgers will come in to this game looking to leave his mark on another NFC North title, but the Lions may have ulterior motives. With that said, the Packers offense will look formidable with the great receiving trio in Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams. Those three players will give the Lions’ secondary fits once again. Expect the Lions to come into this game much more prepared than they were in Lambeau Field. This one will still likely be a shootout, but could (once again) come down to the final play in a Week 17 matchup that could decide who wins the NFC North crown going in to the playoffs.
6. Week 4 at Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota is always a tough place to play for any NFC North opponent. The Lions are no exception to this rule, and in fact, they are the truest example. Having only won three games on the road in Minnesota since 2000, the Lions will have a tough early test. That makes this early season road game one of the tougher ones on their schedule. The road version of this two game matchup for the Lions will be a much tougher task, hence the variance in the rankings of the two. The Vikings boast one of the best defenses in the league that forces a lot of turnovers. They looked to address the ground game in the off-season by adding Latavius Murray and Dalvin Cook. Both of those two backs should look to see plenty of time on the field.
There is a huge quarterback controversy going on in Minnesota during training camp that could go either way between Teddy Bridgewater and last year’s stand in, Sam Bradford. Bradford was very solid in the role last season that has put him in the conversation to be the starter going in to week one this year. On the other side, Bridgewater had a gruesome injury last year that could end up changing the course of his career as a whole. Look for that internal competition to rage on into the season. The Lions will have to take care of the ball if they want to take this very important early season road game.
7. Week 14 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers just missed out on a playoff berth last year. The vastly improved team from Tampa Bay added some serious offensive firepower in the offseason. O.J. Howard brings part deux of a seriously scary tight end duo. Cameron Brate will continue to improve and be a weapon. DeSean Jackson lining up opposite Mike Evans is probably the most lethal wide receiver tandem in the entire league and will score a lot of points. The Lions secondary will have their hands full with this Bucs offense. Jameis Winston will continue to progress into quarterback stardom after another year of experience. The Lions will enjoy the sunny Florida weather late in the year, but this will be a seriously tough and important matchup. Expect to see another shootout in this game.
8. Week 13 at Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens play in a very physical division, and they will treat this game no differently than the rest. Welcoming in the Lions for their only matchup this year, the Ravens will be hoping to have had a rebound year after last. With quarterback Joe Flacco’s health being a potential concern this season, it could be a major factor. A healthy Flacco gives the Lions trouble if his playmakers can give him some help. The Ravens are a middle of the pack team which puts this as a mid-level game on the Lions schedule. It is certainly a tough non-conference game for the Lions being on the road. This isn’t a flashy game other than the possibility each team will be fighting for the playoffs at this point. Both teams will want and possibly NEED to win this one.
Be sure to check out the eight easiest games on the Detroit Lions 2017 schedule.
