Losing Lions Turn Things Around in '09

With so many articles flying around about how many games the Lions will win in 2009, I figured I'd try my hand. Following this is a game by game break down of all 16 teams the Lions will play in 2009.

Week One: At New Orleans- I think most fans can agree that this is not really a winnable game for the Leos. They've done quite a bit to strengthen their secondary (and it will be even better if Rod Hood signs), but not enough to stop Drew Brees.

There won't be nearly enough pressure on him and we could see another 42-7 shlacking like last season produced, but I doubt it. That offense is based on timing and in week 1 it won't be nearly as good as it was in the final weeks last season. Outcome: 31-24 Saints

Week Two: Home vs. Minnesota- Believe it or not, I think the Lions have a good chance at home against the Vikings. Last year the Lions historically bad defense held the Vikings to 12 and 20 points the two times they played, the two lowest totals they allowed.

This was due in part to Adrian Peterson's fumbling problem, but our defense is much improved. I see a similar low scoring game and, call it a hunch, but the Lions pull out a win knowing that they need one early to keep fan support. Outcome: 14-10 Lions

Week Three: Home vs. Washington- The Redskins spent $100 million on Albert Haynesworth and I fully expect it to pay off against the Lions. During the brutal Thanksgiving game last year he gave our Offensive Line fits, especially the underweight Dominic Raiola.

He will be disruptive in the middle limiting our running game and pushing the pocket on passing downs. Outcome: 24-10 Redskins

Week Four: At Chicago- Despite recently acquiring Jay Cutler, I think this is a team the Lions can beat. The defense is getting older and their CB play last year was average at best giving Calvin a chance at 1-2 scores.

Let's focus more on that upgraded offense though. Cutler had the best line in the league last year in sacks allowed and will be pressured much more this year. He's also throwing to the likes of Devin Hester, Earl Bennett and rookie Juaquin Iglesias; personally, I don't love that trio.

Greg Olsen is a good target but all in all his receivers and offensive line will disappoint and so will this offense. Outcome: 27-21 Bears

Week Five: Home vs. Steelers- I'm sorry they have to waste a perfectly good home game on the Superbowl champs. There's no chance in this one. Outcome: 30-13 Steelers

Week Six: At Green Bay- Finally we play the Packers at Lambeau before Thanksgiving. We have a chance against this team simply because their switch to a 3-4 might prove to be a problem this early in the season. Realistically though, I think this team has enough offense to beat the Lions in a semi-shootout. Outcome: 30-24 Packers

Week Eight: Home vs. Rams- After the week 7 bye things start to look better. The Rams are the one team that some people thought were possibly worse than the Lions last year and their team is a mess. The once great offense is in shambles and the defense is as bad as ever. Outcome: 35-17 Lions

Week Nine: At Seattle- Despite Seattle's 4-12 record last year I think this will be a rebound season for the team. If Matt Hasselbeck can stay healthy I see no reason why he and that receiving corps shouldn't post huge numbers.

Luckily their running game is pretty poor, especially with Julius Jones as the feature back. This will be a close one but I have to give the edge to the Seahawks because they're at home. Outcome: 27-24 Seahawks

Week 10: At Minnesota- Being the first team to lose to the Lions will hurt their pride a little. I think this team comes out for revenge, Jared Allen wreaks havoc on our line, Adrian Peterson holds on to the ball, and the Lions lose big scoring a touchdown in garbage time. Outcome: 28-10 Vikings

Week 11: Home vs. Cleveland- This team is definitely in transition under new coach Eric Mangini. They don't know who their QB is going to be, they have two rookie receivers that will see significant time, Jamal Lewis is old, and Kellen Winslow is gone. Things look good in this one for the Lions. Outcome: 30-13 Lions

Week 12: Home vs. Green Bay- Ahhh the Thanksgiving Day game. It's usually a devastating three hour period on what should be a joyous holiday for Lions faithful, but not this year.

The Lions haven't won a game on Thanksgiving in ages and with all the talk that they might lose it if they don't start playing well, Schwartz and company has the team ready for this one. Mark it down, the Lions finally win a Thanksgiving game AND beat the Packers. Outcome: 20-17 Lions

Week 13: At Cincinnati- The Bengals are in a transitional period just like the Lions and the teams are similar in a lot of ways: Good offensive/defensive skill players, bad offensive/defensive lines.

I happen to believe Detroit's skill position players are better. Thus, as much as I love the Travel Channel's Dhani Tackles the Globe, I must go against Dhani Jones and company and pick the Lions to have their first three game win streak since early in 2007. Outcome: 27-20 Lions

Week 14: At Baltimore- Even without Rex Ryan as coordinator this team has a great defense. Their offense will be better this year in Flacco's second year at quarterback. Outcome: 24-10 Ravens

Week 15: Home vs. Arizona- This team just has too much offense for Detroit to handle and rookie runner "Beanie" Wells is an upgrade over Edgerrin James. Outcome: 37-27 Cardinals

Week 16: At San Francisco- This seems like a game that the Lions have a chance at on paper. Keep in mind though that teams that travel across country have been doing poorly in the past few years. Talent wise these teams aren't too far off but the Lions just don't have enough on this road trip and lose a close one. Outcome: 23-17 49'ers

Week 17: Home vs. Chicago- Yet again we avoid a cold weather game in December, and I think this might actually help. I see this Chicago team either definitely in the playoffs and not having to worry about this game OR far enough out of the playoffs that they've given up. Either way the Lions will take a victory any way they can get it. Outcome: 24-17 Lions

They end the year with a record of 6-10 and beat each of the division rivals once. After last season I don't think any fan would be upset with that.