Detroit has a one-sided season schedule. Their big games this year are in the second half of the season, and most likely they will be considered a team that fell apart late in this year's NFL season.
The offseason for Detroit has been plagued already, when they traded down to let Kansas City take a very solid offensive tackle and in turn, picked a player at No. 17 that wasn't even a top-32 player.
Besides the draft disaster, Week One is against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 7. The key to this game is to maintain pressure on Atlanta's new star, Matt Ryan. They will be picked apart through the air without constant pressure.
Ryan has three critical weapons to throw to, and, if he doesn't play like a rookie, they will pick apart the Lions all game. The Lions' offense has been hamstringed with the loss of Kevin Jones.
Kitna is going to have a long year if Tatum Bell doesn't play well, because he will be the only weapon firing rockets to Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. Overall, I think Atlanta will steal this one. The secondary of Detroit is just not good enough, even for a rookie in his first game. Lions start the season 0-1.
Week Two will be Detroit's home opener on Sept. 14, against the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay can't play in dome environments, and the loss of Brett Favre is going to leave them gasping for air all season.
Aaron Rodgers may have the toughest job this year, and he needs to be productive in no less than five weeks, otherwise Green Bay will be on the downfall and looking for a new quarterback. At home against Green Bay, Detroit plays their best football. They will win this one, and Detroit will bounce back to 1-1.
Week Three will be away again, this time on the coast of California against the San Francisco 49ers. The only thing holding back the 49ers this year will be Alex Smith, or the defense. The duo of Frank Gore and DeShaun Foster will be a brutal combination for any team to handle, and they will draw a lot of pressure off of Smith, giving him time to get the ball to his receivers. The defensive backs will hold down the Lions and leave them going into their bye week at 1-2.
Week Four is a bye week for the Lions.
Week Five is at home for the Lions against the Chicago Bears. Chicago is a mess, and would look a lot better if they had a consistent quarterback. This season won't be it. Unless Devin Hester scores over 21 points for the Chicago Bears, Detroit will win this one. Chicago's offense is a complete mess, and should look at the next year's draft for a quarterback. Lions end Week Five at 2-2.
Week Six will be away at Minnesota against the Vikings. Tarvaris should be starting the season, but if he underperforms through the first five weeks, this game could be the opener for rookie John David Booty. The Lions do not have the defense to handle Adrian Peterson, regardless of who is throwing the ball. With the additions of Jared Allen and Bernard Berrian, Lions will get embarrassed in this one, and maintain a losing record at 2-3.
Week Seven, the Lions will be away, facing the Houston Texans. Houston has plenty of weapons on the offensive side, but Detroit has just as many to match them. This will be a very good game. The key decider will be which team is healthy. Houston was plagued last year with key injuries all over their roster, and if it happens again, this one will go to the Lions. However, if both teams are healthy, the defensive backs are not good enough to hold down Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub. Detroit begins a two-game losing streak at 2-4.
Week Eight will be at home against the Washington Redskins. This will be a one-sided affair. The only way Detroit will have a chance is to throw off Jason Campbell's consistency with pressure. With weapons like Santana Moss, Devin Thomas, and Antwaan Randle El, it will be hard for Washington to lose. Detroit will be crushed in this one, and will extend their streak to three games and have a record of 2-5.
Week Nine will be in Chicago. The only player that will affect the outcome of this game will be Devin Hester. If he keeps the Bears energized, they will win this game. The main factors will be the weather and injuries. The more injured team will lose, but if the both teams are healthy by Week Nine, the Bears will still be a mess, and the Lions will win. Their record will stand at 3-5.
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