NFL Schedule 2011: Detroit Lions Will Finish Above .500

The Lions won six games last year under the leadership of Jim Schwartz. The 2011 season will bring the Lions one step closer to the playoffs.

The Lions will actually get to host a Monday Night Football game this year, and I'm predicting will get to taste the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Here is quick rundown of each Lions game this year, and my prediction for each game.

Week 1 @ Tampa Bay

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 19: Receiver Stefan Logan #11 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Lions start the year out facing an up and coming Bucs team. This matchup features former top picks Matthew Stafford and Josh Freeman (2009, first and 17th respectively) and Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy (2010, second and third respectively).

The Lions start the season the way they ended last year, winning 28-17.

Week 2 vs. Kansas City

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 23: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions points to a player during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 23, 2007 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo byGregory Shamus/Getty Images)

As the Chiefs come to town Stafford does something he hasn't done since 2009: Start and finish two consecutive games.

Playoff talk starts to circle around Motown as Stafford leads the Lions to a 21-17 victory.

Week 3 @ Minnesota

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Maurice Morris #28 of the Detroit Lions tries to get around the tackle of Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 20-13. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty

First game against an opponent who should be a doormat team. The Lions forget they still need to show up and play to win. They show they still have a ways to go losing 14-28.

Week 4 @ Dallas

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 21: Running back Marion Barber #24 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch #93 at Cowboys Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys beat the Lions 35-19. (Photo by Tom P

Lions get into a shootout in Dallas but come up on the wrong side of the score board. The Lions look more like a .500 team after losing 31-38.

Week 5 vs. Chicago

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Drew Stanton #5 of the Detroit Lions runs three yards for a first quarter touchdown as Lance Briggs #55 and Major Wright #27 of the Chicago Bears give chase during the game at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (

Monday Night Football comes to Detroit. It's the first time the Lions have played on Monday night since the 2001 season. Detroit shows it belongs and must be taken seriously beating the Bears 24-17.

Week 6 vs. San Francisco

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SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 27: Manny Lawson #99 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles Maurice Morris #28 of the Detroit Lions during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on December 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Lions get two games above .500 with their second set of back-to-back wins. The 49ers are still looking for a QB and transitioning to Jim Harbaugh’s coaching. Final score 35-21.

Week 7 vs. Atlanta

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DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 15: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass the football against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on August 15, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

A playoff team comes in, the Lions put up a fight, but show they aren't quite ready to compete for a Super Bowl. Ryan shows why he is one of the best QBs in the NFL, edging the Lions 17-21.

Week 8 @ Denver

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DENVER - AUGUST 21: Wide receiver Jabar Gaffney #10 of the Denver Broncos makes a reception as cornerback Chris Houston #23 of the Detroit Lions makes the tackle during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 21, 2010 in Denver, Colo

Denver’s defense is better but not good enough, and the Tebow roller coaster hits a dip as Detroit gets an early lead and holds on for a 24-14 win. 

Week 9: Bye

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Calvin Johnson #81 and Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions watch the clock run down during the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated the Lions 24-20. (Photo b

Lions rest up at the midway point sporting a 5-3 record.

Week 10 @ Chicago

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears is sacked by Cliff Avril #92 and Julian Peterson #98 of the Detroit Lions as Ndamukong Suh #90 looks on during the game at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated th

The Bears get the best of the Lions at Soldier Field in a low-scoring, hard-fought game, 10-14.

Week 11 vs. Carolina

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 16: Kevin Smith #34 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball during their NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 16, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Lions 31-22.

The Panther aren't able to plug enough holes. The Lions cruise to a 38-14 win equaling last year's win total.

Week 12 vs. Green Bay

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DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 12: Stefan Logan #11 of the Detroit Lions tries to get around A.J. Hawk #50 of the Green Bay Packers on December 12, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 7-3 (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Lions have been playing on Thanksgiving since the beginning of the tradition. Lions fans have something to be thankful for as the Lions win an exciting overtime game, 31-28.  

Week 13 @ New Orleans

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass against the Detroit Lions at the Louisiana Superdome on September 13, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Drew Brees proves why he has been an NFL MVP as he leads the Saints over the Lions 20-27.

Week 14 vs. Minnesota

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions tries to get around the tackle of Frank Walker #41 of the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Detroit gets revenge for their early season loss, beating the Vikings 31-20.  

Week 15 @ Oakland

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 9: Wide receiver Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions grabs a pass against the Oakland Raiders at the McAfee Coliseum on September 9, 2007 in Oakland, California. The Lions defeated the Raiders 36-21 (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Ge

Raider Nation leaves the Colosseum disappointed as the Lions guarantee a winning season, 23-13.

Week 16 vs. San Diego

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 16: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions tries to catch a pass as he is defended by Quentin Jammer #23 of the San Diego Chargers during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium December 16, 2007 in San Diego California. (Photo by H

Lions make it close but lose on a late field goal 17-20.

Week 17 @ Green Bay

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 12: Julian Peterson #98 and Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions tackles Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers during the game at Ford Field on December 12, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Packers 7-3. (Photo

The Pack and Aaron Rodgers get revenge for Thanksgiving, and the Lions' losing streak at Lambeau continues: 20-17 is the final. 

Playoffs?

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 22: Jarrett Bush #24 of the Green Bay Packers defends against Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions on November 22, 2007 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Lions finish the year with their first winning record since 1999 at 9-7. They are in the mix for one of the wild card spots and end the playoff drought.

I think the Lions finish 9-7. However, there are a couple games that could go differently than I predicted. Those games would be Weeks 2, 3, 11, and 12.