The NFL released their official 2017 regular season schedule tonight. Let’s take a look at what the Detroit Lions are in for now that their path for the season is set in stone.
Week 1: Arizona Cardinals
Sept. 10th, 1:00 pm, FOX
Week 2: At New York Giants
Sept. 18th, 8:30 pm, ESPN, MNF
Week 3: Atlanta Falcons
Sept. 24th, 1:00 pm, FOX
Week 4: At Minnesota Vikings
Oct. 1st, 1:00 pm, FOX
Week 5: Carolina Panthers
Oct. 8th, 1:00 pm, FOX
Week 6: At New Orleans Saints
Oct. 15th, 1:00 pm, FOX
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Pittsburgh Steelers
Oct. 29th, 8:30 pm, NBC, SNF
Week 9: At Green Bay Packers
Nov. 6th, 8:30 pm, ESPN, MNF
Week 10: Cleveland Browns
Nov. 12th, 1:00 pm, CBS
Week 11: At Chicago Bears
Nov. 19th, 1:00 pm, FOX
Week 12: Minnesota Vikings
Nov. 23rd, 1:00 pm, FOX, Thanksgiving
Week 13: At Baltimore Ravens
Dec. 3rd, 1:00 pm, FOX
Week 14: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dec. 10th, 1:00 pm, FOX
Week 15: Chicago Bears
Dec. 16th, 4:30 pm, NFL Network
Week 16: At Cincinnati Bengals
Dec. 24th, 1:00 pm, FOX
Week 17: Green Bay Packers
Dec. 31st, 1:00 pm, FOX
Analysis: The Lions get three prime-time games, including a Week Two, Monday Night Football matchup with the New York Giants. On paper, this looks like one of the toughest schedules in the NFL. Detroit already plays in an ultra-competitive NFC North, but goes on the road against Cincinnati, Baltimore, New Orleans and New York.
Detroit also faces the tough prospect of taking on the Super Bowl participant Atlanta Falcons in week three. A quick start is a necessity for a schedule that doesn’t really have many breaks except for a home game against the Cleveland Browns. With prime-time stages against the Steelers and Packers, it will be an exciting season for fans at the very least.
Pre-Draft Prediction: – (9-7) – I can’t pick Detroit to win more than nine games prior to the draft, with so many defensive holes to fill. Detroit takes on Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Eli Manning. They are another great draft from being a very good team, but until that draft, it’s hard to know how tough this schedule is.
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