Can the Detroit Lions improve their record in 2018?

Last season, the Detroit Lions had a somewhat easier schedule. This year, it’ll be a lot harder to replicate the same success.

9-7 was the record the Detroit Lions finished with in 2018. With new coaching, schemes and a more difficult schedule, wins won’t come easily.

At home, the Lions take on the Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks. Hitting the road, Detroit plays the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers.

The much improved NFC North opponents aren’t a cake-walk either. Players coming back from injury, splash free agent signings and some coaching changes have made the Lions job of winning a first ever division title that much harder.

Sure Detroit managed to sign some solid role players and a much improved coaching staff, but it doesn’t seem like anything compared to the rest of their NFC North rivals.

Of course the Draft is coming up, but every team has the opportunity to improve. The Lions only have six draft picks.

Trading down is a strategy Detroit will surely execute come Draft day. Getting more than six picks is a must and it’s never easy to make these trades happen.

I’m not trying to dismiss the Lions because there’s lots of optimism heading into 2018. The reality, wins are hard to come by in the NFL. Anytime you get new coaches and schemes, it’s considered a rebuild. Certainly not a serious rebuild for Detroit, but it takes time to make things happen and you never know how long it takes to see the payoff.

Next: Detroit Lions - Debunking the running back myth

I’m confident in the front office, coaching staff and current roster moving forward, but I’m also tampering expectations and remaining patient. You have to trust the process and keep your faith anytime there’s major changes.