After a terrible first season under Matt Patricia going six and ten and finishing fourth in the NFC north. The Lions entered the draft with the number eight pick and selected T.J. Hockenson, tight end out of Iowa. Rounding out the class was Jahlani Tavai, Will Harris, Austin Bryant, Amani Oruwariye, Travis Fulgham, Ty Johnson, Isaac Nauta, and PJ Johnson. The Lions were rather split be-tween offensive and defensive picks. The Hockenson pick and focus on getting a backup running back for Kerryon Johnson seems to reinstate Detroit’s focus and establishing a run game. Patricia has his rookies and could put together a respectable season with his team in his hands. But with my short time as a Lions fan, I know they will always be the Same Ole Lions
Week 1- At Arizona Cardinals: Win
Every Week is a must win game if you want to contend for a title, but facing last years worst team will show whether the Lions are serious or not this year. Arizona added Heisman winning quarterback Kyler Murray who will test the Lions ability to contain the quarterback on seal the edges. The Cardinals focused on mostly offense but got cornerback Byron Murphy out of Washington and will test Stafford and his receivers. Even with Arizona’s young offense and young coach, Patricia’s new defense and a run game for Stafford will win and tell whether the Lions mean business this year.
Week 2 Home San Diego Chargers: Win
The Chargers are coming off a surprise season making a deep run in the playoffs and a great season from running back Melvin Gordon. Philip Rivers is getting old but still plays at an elite level and can still win games through his ability. This game will come down to Detroit’s defense being able to stop Melvin Gordon, and Stafford being able to beat the Chargers defense and Rivers in the QB battle. No key weaknesses seam to stick out on either side but the matchup between San Diego wide receiver Keenan Allen and Detroit cornerback Darius Slay should be fun to watch. Patricia will let his defense do the work and let Stafford sling the ball and pull out a close win.
Week 3- At Philadelphia Eagles: Loss
The taste of Jim Schwartz has washed out of Lions fans mouth and now its all business from here. The Eagles are still a very good team even after their early playoff exit last year. Wentz is coming back from yet another injury but has had a long time to recover. Stafford has a tendency to be terrible when it counts and with Schwartz experience coaching Stafford, it will be easy for him to stop him and make our offense rely solely on the run game. Like many games, our defense will need to come up large, but the Eagles have a Super Bowl mentality, which the Lions lack in close games. Eagles will pull away and get the win from the Lions.
Week 4- Home Kansas City Chiefs: Loss
Kansas Lost a couple key parts of its defense but still has Patrick Mahomes behind center who has shown his ability to make anything happen during a play. The Chiefs are another team with a championship mentality; even though the Lions have something to prove, Kansas out-matches the Lions in talent and skill on the football field. Andy Reid may struggle in crunch time, but he can coach his team right past Patricia’s Lions
Week 5- Bye week
The Lions get a good bye week after two of their harder matchups and just before a tough stretch of teams, but with the Lions luck they will still find a way to lose this week.
Week 6- At Green Bay Packers: Win
Rival game at Lambeau field is something the Lions have historically struggled with, but the Packers are in a soft rebuild and Aaron Rodgers is on the latter half of his career. Rodgers still has the ability to make plays but no one else on his offense can, Rodgers and the Packers lack the talent and chemistry with new coach to get the job done and the Lions will pull out in a gritty win.
Week 7- Home Vikings: Loss
The Vikings haven’t quite lived up to what was expected of them after acquiring Kirk Cousins, even with star wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. The Vikings still have something the Lions don’t, star players. The biggest and best player for the Lions is Stafford, while the Vikings can carry one another if one of their better player struggles.
Week 8- Home New York Giants: Win
The Giants are one of the worst teams in the league but still have standout running back Saquon Barkley who will test Patricia’s defense. Their offense is solely based on Saquon’s ability to run for his life as their passing game goes through Eli Manning, or rookie Daniel Jones. Detroit should walk all over the Giants and control every aspect of the game.
Week 9- At Oakland Raiders: Loss
Even though Gruden is out of his mind, such a long flight to Oakland and trying to contain Antonio Brown will be a struggle. Nothing stands out about Oak-land other than Antonio Brown but the every team has its bad week and long trips and Detroit will find itself in a cross-roads on whether they will make a run, or be the Same Ole Lions.
Week 10- At Chicago Bears: Loss
Back to Back Losses will really hurt Detroit’s effort for the playoffs. Lions always struggle down the stretch when it matters the most, and traveling to Chicago playing a healthy Mitchell Trubisky will hurt the Lions. Trubisky was unstoppable on the ground and his backup in his first career start embarrassed the Lions on Thanksgiving. This is around the time injuries start to plague every team and Detroit will have to rely on its weaker talent, and the coaching. Patricia will find himself in the hot seat after multiple losses and a losing record looking right at him.
Week 11- Home Dallas Cowboys: Loss
Detroit has struggled against Dallas recently, especially with their young and talented big three with Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper. Detroit can’t contain a good a fast offense, the linebackers are too slow and safeties never fill the gap, except for Quandre Diggs. Even with all the defensive help Detroit is still stuck in its usual rut and get their third straight loss.
Week 12- At Washington Redskins: Win
Another trip after a rough three weeks, against another standout rookie and dynamic running back duo with Adrian Peterson and Derrius Guice. The Lions and Patricia will have a chip on their shoulder with something to prove. Going against rookie QB Dwayne Haskins will give Patricia a lot of breathing room on defense to blitz and try new schemes. If Patricia tries to isolate the game to run through the backs the game will turn in the Lions favor and start a bit of a late season push for the playoffs.
Week 13- Home Chicago Bears: Win
Coming off their week 12 win Patricia and the Lions will continue to make a late season push. Around this time teams get desperate and try new schemes and plays they normally wouldn’t try early in the season. Letting Stafford play his usual gunslinger roll and totally opening the playbook is the best shot Detroit has at a win.
Week 14- At Minnesota Vikings: Win
Detroit will continue to try and prove itself to not only it’s fans, but the league as a whole. The Vikings have always been a disappointing team late in the sea-son, Kirk Cousins has not been worth the Money and Detroit’s desperation for the playoffs will continue to let them get a little crazy with Stafford and the play-book. As inconsistent and annoying Staf-ford can be, he is a tough quarter back and will put everything on the line to win for his team and the city.
Week 15- Home Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Win
Tampa Bay is in a very confusing point, Jameis Winston isn’t quite franchise material, but he is still their starting quarterback. Devin White will add a lot to their defense and replace Kwon Alexander. Mike Evans and Darius Slay battling for the deep battle will be a great matchup to watch as they are both respectively one of the best at each of their positions. Tam-pa Bay’s lack of leadership and young defense will be easy picking for Stafford and his offense.
Week 16- At Denver Broncos: Win
Denver has struggled to find its franchise QB since Peyton Manning’s departure. Joe Flacco is set to win the starting spot with rookie Will Grier backing him up. Phillip Lindsey returns after a stellar rookie season. Denver lacks any other sort of offense than rookie tight end Noah Fant, former T.J Hockenson teammate. Flacco has never been elite and with Patricia’s experience coaching against him, Flacco should be easily shut down. Detroit is on a hot streak and will have to prove themselves worthy in their final game against Green Bay.
Week 17- Home Green Bay Packers: Win
Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers has always been a nightmare for Detroit fans. Rogers infamous hail mary win still haunts fans and his constant dream killing is hated amongst us all. Patricia and GM Bob Quinn both now, to keep their jobs, they have to win this game. Home field advantage with the fans and all of Detroit behind them will be the driving factor that pushes them past the Cheese heads and Mrs. Crow.
“Ten wins,” says senior Dylan Riggs “Detroit will get ten wins and our defense will stand out and be top five in the league.” Riggs also had a lot to say about Matt Stafford this year. “People that think he should go are wrong, he finally has talent and a decent offensive line around him and he has one of the best arms in the league.”
Tyler Knapp also talked about the Lions this season. “ Their off season moves are questionable, however they have potential it just depends on how well they use it this year.”
Detroit first round pick has polarized the fan base and caused much debate as to whether it was a pick well spent. “He seems like a very good tight end, but we have picked a tight end way too many times before and had it be a bust, (Eric Ebron) I just hope this year is different.” Said Knapp.
It’s hard to stay positive as a Lions fan, and it’s even harder to think of them making the playoffs. A wild card spot and a second place in the NFC north is their best chance.
Detroit lacks the Championship capability but can still make a dent in the playoffs. Lions fans everywhere are hoping for the best, but still know how capable the Lions are at losing.