In 2017, the Detroit Lions finished with a 9-7 record which was not good enough to get them into the NFL Playoffs. Just after the season concluded, the team announced that Jim Caldwell would not be returning for the 2018 campaign which meant the Lions would begin their search for a new head coach.
As we now know, former New England Patriots defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia, has been hired as head coach. In addition, former Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has moved on and the coaching staff as a whole will look much different than a year ago.
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So, the question is, will Patricia and his staff make an immediate impact and lead the Lions to an NFC North title and a run in the NFL Playoffs or will there be first-year struggles which will result in them on the outside looking in, once again?
The NFL free agency period does not officially begin until March 14 at 4 p.m. ET and we all know how important that period will be for Lions general manager Bob Quinn as he looks to improve his roster. What Quinn gets done in free agency will help determine which direction the Lions head in the NFL Draft which will be held on April 26-28.
Detroit Lions perfect Mock Draft (Vol. 2)
That being said, it is never too early (well, maybe it is) for us fans to start looking ahead towards the 2018 regular season schedule. Though the week-by-week schedule has not yet been released by the NFL, we do know the Lions home and away opponents for the 2018 campaign.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at our “2018 Detroit Lions game-by-game predictions: Pre-free agency edition.”
First, let’s take a look at the Lions opponents.
*Note: Predictions are based off current rosters.
HOME RESULTS:
Vs. Carolina Panthers (L)
This was a tough game for the Lions in 2017 and will be again in 2018. I will give the slight edge to the Panthers once again.
Lions chance of winning: 45%
Vs. Chicago Bears (W)
For the Lions to have any chance of competing for a playoff spot they will likely have to sweep the Bears. Detroit will handle their business at home against Chicago.
Lions chance of winning: 80%
Vs. Green Bay Packers (W)
To win the division, the Lions will have to at least split with the Packers. Even with Aaron Rodgers healthy, I am not a huge believer in the Packers overall roster. That being said, this game will be a toss-up.
Lions chance of winning: 53%
Vs. Los Angeles Rams (L)
The Rams were really good in 2017 and you can assume they will be even better at Jared Goff continues to mature. This will be a tough one for the Lions to win.
Lions chance of winning: 40%
Vs. Minnesota Vikings (W)
Similar to the Packers, the Lions will have to at least split with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 if they want to win the NFC North. We know what the Vikings did to the Lions this past Thanksgiving but I am still leaning towards Detroit to grab a win here. BARELY!
Lions chance of winning: 51%
Vs. New England Patriots (L)
This will be a fun one as Matt Patricia will get to coach against Bill Belichick for the first time. The Patriots will be the Super Bowl favorite heading into the season and the Lions will not have much of a chance in this one.
Lions chance of winning: 25%
Vs. New York Jets (W)
The Jets may be better in 2018 than they were this past season but I would be surprised (well, as surprised as a Lions fan can be) if Detroit loses.
Lions chance of winning: 78%
Vs. Seattle Seahawks (L)
If the Lions make the right moves in free agency and the NFL Draft I can see them improving enough to beat the Seahawks. That being said, in the here and now, it would not happen.
Lions chances of winning: 41%
AWAY RESULTS:
@Arizona Cardinals (W)
The Cardinals may have finished 8-8 in 2017 but I was not impressed. The Lions should be able to go to the desert and come away with a win.
Lions chances of winning: 60%
@Buffalo Bills (W)
Similar to the Cardinals (and Lions for that matter), their record was better than what the team was in 2017. I think the Lions will get the job done in this one but it will be very close.
Lions chances of winning: 51%
@Chicago Bears (W)
The Lions were much better than the Bears in 2017 and that will be the case again in 2018. If the Lions lose this game they have little to no shot at a playoff berth.
Lions chances of winning: 70%
@Dallas Cowboys (L)
The Cowboys equaled the Lions 9-7 record in 2017 after finishing 13-3 in 2016. 2018 will be a very interesting season for the Cowboys but I believe they will win 10 or 11 games.
Lions chances of winning: 30%
@Green Bay Packers (L)
Like I mentioned earlier, I am not sold at all on the Packers overall roster. That being said, it will be tough to beat Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau.
Lions chances of winning: 35%
@Miami Dolphins (W)
The Dolphins were not very good in 2017 and I would be very surprised to see them finish above .500 in 2018. This is a very winnable game for the Lions, even though it could be a tough road challenge.
Lions chances of winning: 60%
@Minnesota Vikings (L)
Minnesota is the real deal and 2017 was no fluke. It will be interesting to see what their roster looks like when the season begins but you can be sure the defense will be solid once again.
Lions chances of winning: 35%
@San Francisco 49ers (W)
San Francisco won their final five games of the season to finish 6-10 but their overall roster is just not good enough to make a run at the playoffs. The Lions should travel west and come home with a big win.
Lions chances of winning: 62%
As you can see, I currently have the Lions going 4-4 at home and 5-3 on the road for a combined 9-7 overall record. That is a win total that has gotten teams into the NFL Playoffs in the past but it was not enough for the Lions this past season.
For the Lions to make me confident, they will have to have a tremendous offseason in terms of signing the right free agents and drafting players who can make an immediate impact.
Nation, as you look at the Lions home/away matchups for the 2018 regular season, what do you anticipate happening?
If they don’t win 12 Game then what point of changing coach Caldwell can win 9 games
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