Soothsaying the Detroit Lions schedule at the start of the season
Detroit Lions Weeks 6-9
As much as that first quarter of the schedule is a big key to finishing well, the next four games really show the Detroit Lions’ place in their division. They play the Green Bay Packers on Monday night at Lambeau Field and are at home versus the Minnesota Vikings. Week Eight has the New York Giants visiting followed by an away game at the Oakland Raiders.
Many people believe that the Packers are a contender for both the division title and postseason play. Watching them on the opening night of the NFL season, they do look like they will be a tough opponent but we expect the Lions to be competitive as they have been successful against the Packers and have a four-game win streak. The Vikings have been a tougher play for the Lions but at home, they have a good shot at winning.
The other two games in this segment are very winnable games. The Giants have Saquon Barkley but are rebuilding. The Raiders have a similar problem plus don’t seem to be focused on football but could be by Week Nine. We think it’s reasonable to see the Lions win three of four contests here, bringing their record to 5-3.
Detroit Lions second half
Weeks ten through thirteen feature two matchups with the Chicago Bears, a home game against the Dallas Cowboys, and an away game in Landover, Maryland to face the Washington Redskins. After watching the first game between the Bears and Packers, tell me that any of these games are not games that the Detroit Lions can win. They won’t sweep the four games but we think they win three, one against the Bears, home against the Cowboys, and the Redskins game.
The Bears defense is good, there’s no doubt but they aren’t superhuman. The Chicago offense doesn’t have enough players to overpower many defenses and Mitchell Trubisky although mobile, is not an elite passer, especially throwing left. The Cowboys game could go either way but we think they take this rematch after a tumultuous offseason in Dallas.
The Detroit Lions should beat the Redskins although there are no gimme’s in the NFL on the road. If they are fairly healthy and the offensive line is not letting quarterback Matthew Stafford take a beating, the Lions can be 8-4 by the three-quarters done mark.