The Detroit Lions won nine games in each of Jim Caldwell’s last two seasons. The club elected to go a different direction following the 2017 campaign hiring former Patriots’ assistant Matt Patricia. They’ve won a total of nine games in his two years after winning just three times a season ago. What’s in store for the Lions this season? Part of the problem was not having a reliable backup quarterback when Matthew Stafford went down. Detroit lost eight straight without Stafford and nine in a row overall to end the campaign. Even with a healthy Stafford for an entire season it’s going to be difficult for the Lions to wins seven games.
Lions Over 6.5 Wins -154
Lions Under 6.5 Wins +123
No quarterback and a horrible defense led the Lions to another fruitless campaign. Stafford was enjoying a fine season through the first half throwing for 2,499 yards and 19 touchdowns with a rating of 106.0. The Lions were unbeaten through three games before a heartbreaking loss to eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City in Week 4. They allowed a last-second field goal and were upended by Green Bay the next game. Suffering hip and back injuries, Stafford didn’t play following a 7-point loss to the Raiders. The Lions didn’t win another game.
It was obvious that backups Jeff Driskell and David Blough weren’t the answer so the Lions signed Chase Daniel to be their backup. They also drafted who many feel was the best back in the draft, D’Andre Swift, to help a lackluster ground game. Stafford was able to operate without the help of a running attack. When he went down the offense went with him. Kerryon Johnson missed half the season and still led the team with 403 rushing yards. The receiving corps is solid with Kenny Golloday, Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola all having over 60 receptions last NFL season.
Finishing last against the pass, next to last in total yards allowed, 26th in points surrendered and losing second-half leads in seven games, major changes hit the defense. Patricia hopes that he eventually strikes gold by reaching to his New England past. New coordinator Cory Undlin was on the Pats staff with Patricia a few years ago, and the club brought in Danny Shelton, Jamie Collins and Duron Harmon. Drafting Jeff Okudah and Julian Okwara should stabilize a unit that gave up over 400 yards per game.
2020 Detroit Lions Schedule
Week 1: Bears at Lions, Sunday, September 13, 1 p.m. ET
Week 2: Lions at Packers, Sunday, September 20, 1 p.m. ET
Week 3: Lions at Cardinals, Sunday, September 27, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 4: Saints at Lions, Sunday, October 4, 1 p.m. ET
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: Lions at Jaguars, Sunday, October 18, 1 p.m. ET
Week 7: Lions at Falcons, Sunday, October 25, 1 p.m. ET
Week 8: Colts at Lions, Sunday, November 1, 1 p.m. ET
Week 9: Lions at Vikings, Sunday, November 8, 1 p.m. ET
Week 10: Redskins at Lions, Sunday, November 15, 1 p.m. ET
Week 11: Lions at Panthers, Sunday, November 22, 1 p.m. ET
Week 12: Texans at Lions, Thursday, November 26, 12:30 p.m. ET
Week 13: Lions at Bears, Sunday, December 6, 1 p.m. ET
Week 14: Packers at Lions, Sunday, December 13, 1 p.m. ET
Week 15: Lions at Titans, Saturday/Sunday, December 19/20, TBA
Week 16: Buccaneers at Lions, Saturday/Sunday, December 26/27, TBA
Week 17: Vikings at Lions, Sunday, January 3, 1 p.m. ET
2020 Detroit Lions Schedule Analysis
The networks don’t think too highly of the Lions with no night games on the slate. There is the annual Thanksgiving Day contest with a pair of games late in the season possibly being flexed. Other than that the Lions have all but one game currently scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET. That should at least give them some continuity in preparing. The front of the schedule sees them on the road for four of their first six outings with an early bye week breaking up the road contests.
On top of their three division tilts, the Lions also host the Saints, Colts, Texans and Tom Brady’s Bucs. Finishing .500 at Ford Field is going to be an arduous task. The road slate doesn’t look as bad, but considering the Lions have won just 26 percent of their road games since 2001 posting a winning road record in only two seasons, getting to the win total appears a longshot.
The Final Verdict
The Lions had a great draft and tried to plug several holes. But they are the Lions and things don’t always work out in their favor. Based on last year’s results they need Stafford to stay healthy. Relying on that is wishful thinking since he is getting up there. I don’t think they did enough defensively and that group keeps the ceiling at six wins.
NFL Odds: Detroit Lions Under 6.5 Wins
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