Bold *** Lions Predictions and Schedule Breakdown

Stealing the bit from my favorite mid-day radio show, I'm going to make some predictions about the Lions upcoming season...some will seem outrageous, but I thought going 0-16 was impossible, so who's to say any of these are unreachable. And awaaaaay we go....

- Calvin Johnson will lead the NFL in receiving yards (not too bold, but I need to ease my way into this)
- Duante Culpepper will begin the season as the starting quarterback, but will be replaced by Matt Stafford starting in Week 8 against St. Louis.
- Louis Delmas will become the defensive playmaking safety that the Lions have been missing since Bennie Blades.
- Zach Follett will make the squad as the final linebacker and Special Teamer and will consistantly unload on opposing players on kick offs.
- Kevin Smith will rush for 1,200 yards have 40 catches and get double digit touchdowns.
- Jon Jansen will regain form and supplant Jeff Backus at starting Left Tackle.
- Jerome Felton will be the Lions 3rd rusher behind Kevin Smith and Duante Culpepper (sorry Maurice Morris).
- At some point during the season, the Lions will add a veteran Wide Receiver to the roster
- At least 2 of the following will make the Pro-Bowl: Calvin Johnson, Ernie Sims, Julian Peterson, Nick Harris, and Louis Delmas.

Now on to the most important predictions...the record...


Season Schedule Breakdown
Week 1 - @ New Orleans
New Orleans offensive strength is their explosive passing attack and Detroit's secondary will be tested and more than likely exposed right off the bat. It is no secret that while Detroit has improved their offense, their most glaring weakness remains the defense and I don't think the Schwartz will shore it up this quickly.
Result - Loss (0-1)

Week 2 - Minnesota
Cue up the enevitable Brett Favre: Lion killer" comments here. The fact of the matter is, Favre is pushing 40 and the Vikings are AP's team. The Lions have done an OK job of containing Peterson recently, and by OK, I mean he hasn't completely embarassed us. If they can hold him to under 100 yards rushing, I think we win. Even though the Vikings defense is tough, the Lions will be able to put up enough points and the Lions get the monkey off their back early in the season.
Result - Win (1-1)

Week 3 - Washington
This one just feels like a loss. I know the Marinelli Lions got smoked by the skins and that this is a "different team," but it still feels like a loss. New addition Haynesworth helps stuff the Lions running attack and lets them drop into coverage. Portis runs wild.
Result - Loss (1-2)

Week 4 - @ Chicago
The Lions take a plane, train, scooter, skateboard, and taxi to get to Soldier Field and ex-coach Rod Marinelli. The Bears defense is always tough and the offense is improved with Kyle Orton gone and Jay Cutler in. The Lions defense struggles and the offense keeps it close, but not close enough and the Lions lose a tight one.
Result - Loss (1-3)

Week 5 - Pittsburgh
Defending Super Bowl Champions...enough said.
Result - Loss (1-4)

Week 6 - @ Green Bay
The Lions finally do not have to play at Lambeau Field in the dead of winter. It's early in the season and the Packers are trying to work out the kinks in the 3-4 defense. Lions lose in a shootout with the high-powered offense of Rodgers, Jennings, Driver, and Grant.
Result - Loss (1-5)

Week 7 - Bye

Week 8 - St. Louis
Last year the only reason that people weren't talking about how bad the St. Louis Rams were was because the Lions were that much worse. the fact is that the Rams have lost more than they have gained and as long as the Lions can contain Steven Jackson, this game is a lock. With an extra week to prepare, the Lions will be primed for a win. Side Note: this is the week I predict Stafford will take over the starting QB job.
Result - Win (2-5)

Week 9 - @ Seattle
Detroit gets a look at what they could have had in Aaron Curry. Julian Peterson and Cory Redding each get a shot at their respective former teams. Neither team shows up on offense, but Seattle has enough to eek out a win.
Result - Loss (2-6)

Week 10 - @ Minnesota
The Vikings are out for revenge at home. Peterson runs wild and Favre shows a brief flash of what he used to be. Vikings get even with a win.
Result - Loss (2-7)

Week 11 - Cleveland
The only repeat game from the Preseason slate of games. The 1st and 2nd units did not look good in that game, but they did not have their top 3 receivers and were not "game-planning" for the Browns. The Schwartz shows the Browns what they should have seen in Preseason Week 2.
Result - Win (3-7)

Week 12 - Green Bay (Thanksgiving)
Now its the Lions chance at some revenge. In what will likely be 1 of only 3 or 4 home games that is not blacked out, the Lions will put up a good showing on Thanksgiving. They will have had a couple games against the 3-4 defense and will give the Lions fans a holiday treat.
Result - Win (4-7)

Week 13 - @ Cincinnati
I just don't think the Bengels are any good this year. Even though Chad Ochocinco can kick if needed, he won't be able to boot the Lions out of town easilly. Megatron uses his height advantage over the small corners and has a BIG game.
Result - Win (5-7)

Week 14 - @ Baltimore
Baltimore's Defense is too much for the Lions to handle and Joe Flacco manages the game well enough for the Ravens to win at home.
Result - Loss (5-8)

Week 15 - Arizona
Detroit's secondary is a weakness and the Arizona air attack will exploit it this week. Expect big numbers from Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston.
Result - Loss (5-9)

Week 16 - @ San Francisco
I'm torn on this one, because San Francisco is not great, but frankly neither are the Lions. In a tight game here Frank Gore and company take advantage of having the home crowd on their side. Lions lose a close one.
Result - Loss (5-10)

Week 17 - Chicago
I wish that the Lions were able to split with the division, especially since Marinelli is on the other side of this one, but I just don't see the Bears losing to the Lions this year, call it a gut reaction more than anything. Cutler, Forte, Urlacher, Hester, and Olsen lead the Bears to a season ending victory, but not a blowout by any means.
Result - Loss (5-11)