Detroit Lions Schedule: The 5 Most Important Games on the 2011 Schedule

When there are only 16 games in a regular season, every game is important.

When talking about a team that has won no more than six games in each of the last three seasons, that becomes even more true.

But to suggest that some games don't have a little more influence than others is just silly. Will it mean more to beat the Chicago Bears at home on Monday night, or the San Francisco 49ers the following Sunday?

Is it more important that the Lions win at Lambeau Field, or Oakland County Coliseum?

Sure, in the standings, a win is a win, and it doesn't matter when or how. But that's just mathematical.

Throw in momentum, public perception, historical significance, fan support, and team morale, and there is no doubt that these five games matter more than any on the Lions' 2011 schedule.

5. Week 11, vs. Carolina

I know what you're thinking.

"Hang on, I thought you said these were important games? How is a game against the worst team in football last year important?"

It's important because the Lions should win it. In fact, it might be the first game in many, many years that the Lions can justifiably expect to win.

Although nobody is likely to write an epic poem about recent clashes between the Patriots and Bills, or the Steelers and Browns, they still count, and they still have to be played. But make no mistake, the Patriots and Steelers expect to win those games, and when they don't, there is an uproar.

Barring a major disaster/miracle, there should be no way in the world the Lions and Panthers enter this game as equals. The Lions ought to be heavy favorites, which is going to raise an interesting question about this team.

How will they handle the pressure of being expected to win? Even in the past, when the Lions have had a favorable matchup, the "don't screw it up" aura still covered the team.

This game is a perfect chance for the Lions to show they're becoming accustomed to winning and are past the era where they routinely beat themselves.

After all, what is one of the hallmarks of quality sports teams? "Beat the teams you're supposed to beat."

4. Week 1, at Tampa Bay

Last December, the Detroit Lions snapped the longest road losing streak in NFL history in Tampa, Florida.

This September, they'll return to prove it wasn't a fluke.

This game has significance for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, it needs to be played. With the lockout sapping most of the momentum for the season thus far, having the season start on time will be a huge step to keeping the game healthy.

But also, this will be a game between two of the NFL's most promising young teams, and both could be shooting for the playoffs in 2011. This game will set the tone for both teams out of the gate.

Winning this game would be huge for the Lions, who open their 2011 season with three of their first four games on the road.

Their next road game is in Minnesota, where the Lions haven't won in over a decade (this game is not in the top five, but would have been sixth). An opening week win against a team that went 10-6 last season would be an excellent first step for a potential playoff run, and a great start to a relatively tough early-season stretch.

3. Thanksgiving, vs. Green Bay

It's time for Thanksgiving to belong to the Lions again.

The Lions have lost seven straight Thanksgiving Day games, and nine of the last 10.

Remember back when playing the Lions on Thanksgiving used to be fearsome? Remember when coaches used to play game tape of the Lions at double speed and say, "This is what the Lions will look like on Thanksgiving?"

That was probably during that stretch just before the Lions went on their Thanksgiving losing streak, when the Lions won six of seven Thursday afternoon games.

They used to own the day. Lately, they've been America's opportunity to sneak in a quick nap before dinner.

It's time to take Thanksgiving back, and who better than the arch-rival/world champion Packers to do it against?

This is a statement game waiting to happen. The Lions just have to make it happen.

Week 5 Monday Night, vs. Chicago

There are so many reasons to want to win this game.

One, the "Process of the Catch" is still waiting to be avenged.

Two, this game begins a three-week homestand which will likely determine a lot about the fate of the Lions' season.

And let's not forget, the Lions will be ready for some football!

Monday Night Football returns to Detroit in 2011 for the first time in a decade, and if they want to get more primetime consideration in the future, they will need to put on a good show.

Smacking down an obnoxious divisional rival that has a penchant for injuring Matthew Stafford? A very nice proposition indeed, especially when that obnoxious divisional rival made the NFC Championship game last year.

This is the new Lions' first chance to shine on a national stage in primetime. If all goes well, it will be the first of many.

Better yet, they can embarrass the Bears on national television.

Week 17, at Green Bay

The biggest subplot here is that this game will probably have playoff implications. Almost certainly for Green Bay, certainly possibly for Detroit.

But leaving that aside, the last time Detroit won a football game in the state of Wisconsin, Brett Favre was an Atlanta Falcon.

Enough is enough, already.

The Lions took care of a bunch of losing streaks last season (divisional opponents, road, overall), so it's it time to add Lambeau Field to the list?

In 2008, the Lions ended their season in Green Bay, in which a win would have saved them the humiliation of 0-16.

In 2011, the Lions will again end their season in Green Bay, in which a win could send them to the playoffs.

My, how times can change in the span of three years.

And how they will change even further if the Detroit Lions can finally walk out of Lambeau Field as victors against the reigning Super Bowl champions.