Detroit Lions: Winning against their first opponent of 2020

The NFL has released the 2020 schedule and getting off to a hot start is important. How will the Detroit Lions do against their first opponent?

All teams, including the Detroit Lions, have received the 2020 NFL schedule and have a lot of time to prepare for the first team on the schedule, which for the Lions this year means the Chicago Bears at home. Both teams have been busy in the offseason altering their roster in an attempt to improve their strengths and remove some weaknesses. So who will come out ahead?

Most Lions fans know what moves the motor city team made but many might not be so familiar with the opposing teams’ moves, so a couple of key points. Da Bears probably aren’t done in free agency but the main move they made was signing defensive end Robert Quinn from the Dallas Cowboys. Chicago made a number of other moves that may or may not make them a stronger team, including signing quarterback Nick Foles.

The Lions made a large number of free-agent moves as well. The signing of linebacker Jamie Collins along with others will also make things more interesting in 2020.

But the move that I’m most interested in is the signing of backup quarterback Chase Daniel. Why? Simple, Daniel’s knows the Bears’ offensive playbook. Chicago hasn’t signed any former Lions offensive players so far.

Detroit also added former Bear defensive tackle Nicholas (Nick) Williams, who knows their defensive playbook. And no, they haven’t signed any former Lions on defense either. Plus, Williams fills a big need along the interior of the defensive line.

For you draftniks, the Bears landed Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet with their first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, which was in the second round. This despite signing free-agent tight end Jimmy Graham earlier in the year. Maybe it’s just me, being a biased fan and all, but the Lions’ draft appears to be much more to write home about then the Bears’ draft.

Last year, after the Lions played without quarterback Matthew Stafford for eight games, Detroit lost to the Bears by scores of 20-13 and 24-20. Two one-score games with many Lion players injured and more to come.

Could injuries happen again? Sure. Will they?  No way to know. If we can just agree on the likelihood of it being low, that there will be as many or as significant types of injuries, let’s take the next step.

There is one more component to the two teams to consider. Coaching changes. The Bears pretty much revamped their entire offensive coaching staff. Some of the Lions’ staff changes include their defensive coordinator, offensive line, and linebackers coaches.

Now to my prediction. My belief is that the Detroit Lions’ offseason moves were slightly better than those made by the Chicago Bears. But health will be the key. If health isn’t a major factor, my prediction is the Lions will sweep the Bears when they face off in Week One and Week 13.