Motor City Table Talk: A look ahead at the 2014 Detroit Lions

Aug 2, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions mascot Roary high fives fans during training camp at the Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

6. Give me one bold prediction and a guess at the Lions final regular season record? Tony Fischer:

"“The Lions will not only make the play-offs this season but will have home field advantage in round one. With the addition of Golden Tate and the development of the run game the Lions will have way too much on offense for most teams to handle.” “Another factor in their success will be Jim Caldwell whose coaching style could bring the best out in his players.” “The Lions won’t have to outscore teams to win either. The defense will show big improvement behind solid play at linebacker and adequate production from the corner position.” Final record: 11-5"

Vincent Bianchi:

"“For the first time since 1991, the Detroit Lions will win a playoff game.” ” I don’t know how much bolder you can get than that. Yet, it’s possible, the offense has potential to be in the top 3 of the league. Jim Caldwell and Joe Lombardi who have experience working with great quarterbacks will help take Matthew Stafford’s game to the next level. The Lions will boost arguably the best running back duo in the league with Reggie Bush and Detroit’s own Joique Bell, both back for another season. Golden Tate will take pressure off of Calvin Johnson and take away some of the double teams. It’ll all come down to Stafford to get them the ball. The sky is the limit for the offense.” “Defensively, with both Suh and Fairly in their contract years expect them to play some motivated football, especially if Suh wants to be the highest paid defensive player in the league like he believes he should be. Ezekiel Ansah had a solid rookie campaign and is only getting better, Stephen Tulloch and Deandre Levy are very relate-able linebackers. The big question is the secondary, they don’t have to be great, they just can’t lose any games for the Lions.” “Final record 10-6”"

Nate Williams: My bold prediction? I say the Lions make the playoffs, but not how you might expect.

In fact, I think they do it in a very “un-lion” fashion. I see the Lions starting out the season 4-4, hitting the halfway point at a mere .500. However, right when human nature tells us the Lions are out of it, (again) they do something that many of us have never seen. They put together a late season run, winning 6 of their last 8, including a win on the road in Green Bay.

With the win they sneak into the playoffs.

Final record: 10-6

Before you go, give us your thoughts below! What is your bold prediction? How do you think the Lions record ends up after 17 weeks of regular season football?