The Detroit Lions have themselves a new head coach for 2018, and they're hoping he'll lead them to new heights. However, his first year in Detroit will be against the second toughest strength-of-schedule in the NFL.
The Lions tweeted out today that they're tied for the second toughest schedule based on their combined record of their opponents in 2017.
The #Lions are tied for the second toughest strength of schedule in 2018.
????: https://t.co/G0fHGfCOJX pic.twitter.com/6x1hyo1BAw
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) February 20, 2018
The divisional rival Green Bay Packers have the toughest schedule, followed by Detroit, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Cleveland.
Among the teams that will be visiting Ford Field this year are the Los Angeles Rams, the Seattle Seahawks, the Carolina Panthers, the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. Their road schedule will include matchups against the San Francisco 49ers, the Arizona Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys, the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills.
|
RANK |
TEAM |
OPP. 2017 RECORD |
OPP. 2017 WIN % |
|
1 |
Green Bay |
138-118 |
.539 |
|
T-2 |
Detroit |
137-119 |
.535 |
|
T-2 |
New Orleans |
137-119 |
.535 |
|
4 |
Tampa Bay |
136-120 |
.531 |
|
T-5 |
Cleveland |
134-122 |
.523 |
|
T-5 |
LA Rams |
134-122 |
.523 |
|
T-5 |
Seattle |
134-122 |
.523 |
|
T-8 |
Arizona |
133-123 |
.520 |
|
T-8 |
Chicago |
133-123 |
.520 |
|
T-8 |
Minnesota |
133-123 |
.520 |
|
T-8 |
NY Giants |
133-123 |
.520 |
|
12 |
Carolina |
131-125 |
.512 |
|
13 |
Atlanta |
130-126 |
.509 |
|
14 |
Washington |
129-127 |
.504 |
|
T-15 |
San Francisco |
128-128 |
.500 |
|
T-15 |
Dallas |
128-128 |
.500 |
|
T-15 |
Miami |
128-128 |
.500 |
|
18 |
Buffalo |
127-129 |
.496 |
|
T-19 |
Philadelphia |
126-130 |
.492 |
|
T-19 |
Kansas City |
126-130 |
.492 |
|
21 |
Baltimore |
125-131 |
.488 |
|
T-22, |
New England |
124-132 |
.484 |
|
T-22, |
Indianapolis |
124-132 |
.484 |
|
24 |
LA Chargers |
123-133 |
.480 |
|
T-25 |
NY Jets |
122-134 |
.477 |
|
T-25 |
Pittsburgh |
122-134 |
.477 |
|
T-25 |
Jacksonville |
122-134 |
.477 |
|
T-25 |
Denver |
122-134 |
.477 |
|
T-29 |
Oakland |
121-135 |
.473 |
|
T-29 |
Cincinnati |
121-135 |
.473 |
|
31 |
Tennessee |
119-137 |
.465 |
|
32 |
Houston |
116-140 |
.453 |
|
per CBSSports.com |
|||
BONUS CONTENT: LIONS ANNOUNCE HIRING OF FORMER UCLA COACH
The Detroit Lions have made an addition to new head coach Matt Patricia's staff, bringing in former UCLA offensive line coach Hank Fraley. He'll work under new offensive line coach Jeff Davidson.
In addition to UCLA, he served as offensive line coach at the University of San Diego in 2012 before moving on to San Jose State for 2013. He also has NFL experience as the Minnesota Vikings assistant offensive line coach from 2014-16.
Last season with Fraley, the UCLA Bruins finished 115th in FBS rushing offense with 113.4 yards per game. They were 75th with an average of 2.23 sacks allowed in 13 games.
An undrafted free agent from Robert Morris (where he earned a degree in organizational leadership), Fraley played 11 season in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams.
In addition to Fraley, the Lions announced they've brought back Evan Rothstein for his seventh season with Detroit and his first as the team’s head coach assistant/research & analysis.
His coaching career began at SUNY Cortland in 2006 as the student assistant offensive line coach, quality control and director of video operations. He was also the offensive quality control coach for Syracuse from 2010-11.
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