Writers covering teams on the Detroit Lions’ 2015 schedule are asked their prediction for their team’s game against the Lions.
Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) watches from the sideline during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Detroit won 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
The schedule game. Perhaps you’ve already played it. Maybe you’ll play it as the regular season. You know the game.
That’s a win.
That’s a win.
Could go either way.
That’s a loss.
It doesn’t take long after the NFL schedule is released for people to start going through the a team’s schedule week by week to try to predict the final record.
I recently published a series of Q&A with editors from the FanSided sites that cover the teams on the Detroit Lions’ 2015 schedule and concluded the Q&A asking for an early outlook on their team’s game with the Lions. The results were…interesting.
Each editor was asked to call the game a win, loss or toss-up for their team. I’ll count a toss-up as half a loss and half a win.
So how does the Lions record come out based on the opinion of the opposing view? Let’s play the schedule game.
Next: Chargers
Dec 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) drops back to pass as running back Ryan Mathews (24) looks to block during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Week 1 – at San Diego Chargers
Read the full Chargers Q&A here.
Ernie Padaon of Bolt Beat‘s Prediction: Toss-Up
"It is a toss-up. In the first game of the season, anything can happen. We don’t know exactly the makeup of all teams at this point, so we will see what goes down."
Lions Record: 0.5-0.5
Next: Vikings
Dec 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) prepares to hike the ball during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Lions win 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Week 2 – at Minnesota Vikings
Week 7 – vs. Minnesota Vikings
Read the full Vikings Q&A here.
Adam Carlson of The Viking Age‘s Prediction: Split the two games
"The Lions always play the Vikings tough. However, I feel that we’ll see the two teams split their series this year and each come home with one win each. Teddy Bridgewater made some horrible decisions against that Lions pass rush last season, but I feel another year of seasoning will help him overcome those freshman follies. Whenever the Vikings play against the Lions, you have to circle that one on the calendar, because you know it’s going to be one heck of a game."
Lions Record: 1.5-1.5
Next: Broncos
Nov 2, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) look over papers on the sideline during the fourth quarter of their 43-21 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Week 3 – vs. Denver Broncos
Read the full Broncos Q&A here.
Tylor Walden of Predominantly Orange‘s Prediction: Broncos win
"I believe the game between Denver and Detroit is going to be a lot closer than people think. Detroit has the home field advantage. Not to mention its been some time since Denver came to the motor city. 8 years ago in Detroit, the Lions crushed the Broncos 44-7 in a game that saw Jay Cutler knocked out of the game. The last time Denver won in Detroit was 17-7 on Christmas Day 1999. As for who wins, it won’t be by much, but Denver steals one in Detroit in what should be a huge game. Game will be close, but Manning and the Broncos pull away late 34-24."
Lions Record: 1.5-2.5
Next: Seahawks
January 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; General view as fans cheer during Seattle Seahawks introductions before the game against the Carolina Panthers in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Week 4 – at Seattle Seahawks
Read the full Seahawks Q&A here.
Keith Myers of 12th Man Rising‘s Prediction: Seahawks win
"Right now I have to give the edge to the Seahawks. Seattle’s defense is strong where it needs to be to slow down Detroit’s offense, and I don’t see Detroit’s defense as being that strong this season. Without the two big defensive tackles from last season, the Lions will likely have a tough time slowing down Marshawn Lynch and Seattle offense."
Lions Record: 1.5-3.5
Next: Cardinals
Nov 16, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Rashean Mathis (31) and strong safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (42) tackle Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 14-6. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Week 5 – vs. Arizona Cardinals
Read the full Cardinals Q&A here.
Scott Allen of Raising Zona‘s Prediction: Cardinals win
"Right now I will say win since that’s what I’m going to go with in my game-by-game predictions piece here down the road soon. However, the Cardinals now have to visit Detroit. I think Detroit was tired of coming here to Arizona. Detroit almost pulled it out last season in Glendale. I think health again is a big factor for both teams. The game is on October 11th, relatively early in the season so I think chances are good that both teams are relatively healthy. It will be close and certainly can go either way with the talent the Lions have but I will give the Cardinals the edge for now."
Lions Record: 1.5-4.5
Next: Bears
Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to pass against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Lions defeated the Bears 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Week 6 – vs. Chicago Bears
Week 17 – at Chicago Bears
Read the full Bears Q&A here.
Dan Schmelzer of Bear Goggles On‘s Prediction: Lions sweep
"To be honest, both games against the Lions will probably be losses for the Bears. These two teams always play each other tough, so I am by no means counting the Bears out. That being said, the Lions are clearly the more talented team who are much more set up for current success."
Lions Record: 3.5-4.5
Next: Chiefs
Dec 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) hands off to running back Jamaal Charles (25) during the first half against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Week 8 – at Kansas City Chiefs (in London)
Read the full Chiefs Q&A here.
Matt Verderame of Arrowhead Addict‘s Prediction: Chiefs win
"I believe the Chiefs win. It’s just a bad matchup for Detroit. Kansas City has a great pass rush and can cover receivers. Offensively, the Chiefs have enough to eek out a tight game."
Lions Record: 3.5-5.5
Next: Packers
Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Week 10 – at Green Bay Packers
Week 13 – vs. Green Bay Packers
Read the full Packers Q&A here.
Ray Rivard of Lombardi Ave‘s Prediction: Packers Sweep
"The Lions are always really tough, whether it’s at Green Bay or in Detroit. However, the Packers, for the most part, have had the Lions’ number. I think that will again be the case in 2015. A split with the Lions could once again be the case, but a sweep by the Packers would, of course, position them well to once again win the NFC North Division. I see the Packers winning easily at Lambeau Field, but am always leery of playing the Lions on the road. So many times it doesn’t go as planned. That all said, I am going to stick with the notion that the Packers pull off a sweep of the Lions in 2015. As for circling this game on the calendar … the Lions are always a formidable opponent and one that continues to define the history between the two iconic NFL franchises."
Lions Record:3.5-7.5
Next: Raiders
Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback Keith McGill (39) celebrates after a touchdown in front of cornerback D.J. Hayden (25) and strong safety Brandian Ross (29) in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Week 11 – vs. Oakland Raiders
Read the full Raiders Q&A here.
Chase Ruttig of Just Blog Baby‘s Prediction: Lions win
"I still view the Lions as an offense that will give the Raiders a lot of problems, and given the team’s historic problems winning on the East Coast this should be a game that Detroit should be able to win. I would guess you will see Oakland as around -7 Vegas underdogs in Week 11 if both rosters are healthy because Detroit are going to be heavily favored to handle their business against the still building Raiders. Even if it is hard to predict a matchup that is deep into the season, I really see this as another East Coast game that will give the Raiders problems with the Lions coming out on top."
Lions Record: 4.5-7.5
Next: Eagles
Dec 8, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in the shotgun during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Week 12 – vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Read the full Eagles Q&A here.
Anthony DiBona of Inside the Iggles‘ Prediction: Toss-Up
"I’ll go the safe route and say it’ll be a toss-up. The Lions likely present one of the league’s best passing attacks and it’ll certainly be a major test for the Eagles’ revamped secondary. But at the same time, the Eagles uptempo offense could cause the Lions’ defense some problems as well. Luckily there won’t be a “snow bowl” this time around and we’re likely looking at a good old fashion shootout in the Motor City."
Lions Record: 5-8
Next: Rams
Nov 30, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines (33) celebrates with free safety Rodney McLeod (23) after intercepting a pass during the first half against the Oakland Raiders at the Edward Jones Dome. St. Louis defeated Oakland 52-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Week 14 – at St. Louis Rams
Read the full Rams Q&A here.
Mike Condon of Ramblin’ Fan‘s Prediction: Rams win
"I’m marking the Lions game as a win for the Rams, I will admit a tough one, but a win. It’s deep in the season, Week 14 to be exact, so this roster will have had plenty of time spent playing together and we will know exactly what we have at that point. I think the Lions hold the advantage when it comes to the passing game, but running the ball and defense belong to the Rams. The loss of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, who ironically is now in St. Louis, will hurt the Lions defense far more than people think. Whether the Rams are starting Tre Mason or Todd Gurley at that point in the season is an unknown, but both backs are far better that Joique Bell. Bell is on the doorstep of 30-years-old and has only registered stats with Detroit in the last three years despite entering the league in 2010. St. Louis will need to limit the damage done though the air, but should come out on top to the tune of something in the area of 24-21."
Lions Record: 5-9
Next: Saints
Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) gets away from New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Week 15 – at New Orleans Saints
Read the full Saints Q&A here.
Andrew Schuster of Who Dat Dish‘s Prediction: Toss-Up
"A toss-up for now, leaning towards a win. With the Saints getting back on track, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome should be one of the toughest houses in the NFL once again, especially primetime on a Monday night. It should be a great matchup between two improved teams. I’m looking forward to being there, as well as covering it."
Lions Record: 5.5-9.5
Next: 49ers
Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) calls an audible during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi
Week 16 – vs. San Francisco 49ers
Read the full 49ers Q&A here.
Peter Panacy of Niner Noise‘s Prediction: Toss-Up
"The contest against the Lions is a toss-up for me right now given that it’s in Week 16. 49ers fans really have no clue how this team is going to pan out this season. There is lots of promise, but there are plenty of major question marks too. We need a few regular-season games in the book to make an accurate prediction."
Lions Record: 6-10
Next: Harvard Analysis Sees Lions Return to Playoffs