Lions’ Dream Season Could Be Tested by Brutal Midseason Gauntlet
· Yahoo Sports
After a dominant first half of the season, I have the Detroit Lions sitting at a perfect 8-0 through nine weeks. A combination of good health, favorable home matchups and one of the league’s softer stretches early in the year has Detroit rolling into the second half of the season with legitimate Super Bowl expectations.
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That momentum, however, is about to be tested.
Following their Week 6 bye, the Lions face one of the toughest scheduling stretches in the NFL. Detroit will play three games in an 11-day span, including an overseas trip to Germany. Fatigue, travel and quick turnarounds could finally slow down a team that looked nearly unbeatable during the first half of the season.
Here is a breakdown of Detroit’s next four games and how the Lions could fare during this critical stretch of the schedule.
Week 10: Lions vs. Patriots
Detroit heads overseas for the first time since 2015, when the Lions suffered a 45-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in London. This time, the Lions travel to Germany for a marquee matchup against the defending AFC champion New England Patriots.
Led by quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots are coming off a Super Bowl appearance and appear to be one of the NFL’s fastest-rising teams. New England has built a balanced roster with a strong defense and an offense capable of putting pressure on opposing secondaries.
For Detroit, this matchup feels like one of the biggest measuring-stick games of the season. The Lions have handled most opponents comfortably through the first half of the year, but this will be a different challenge entirely. International travel, unfamiliar surroundings and a physical Patriots team could create problems for Detroit.
The Lions still have enough offensive firepower to keep the game close, but this feels like the spot where the unbeaten streak finally ends.
Score prediction: Patriots 27, Lions 21
Week 11: Lions vs. Buccaneers
The NFL did Detroit no favors with the scheduling following the Germany trip. Rather than receiving a bye week after returning from overseas, the Lions immediately return home to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who will be coming off their bye week fully rested.
Tampa Bay also enters the season with some major roster changes. Franchise legend Mike Evans is no longer with the organization after departing in free agency, but the Buccaneers still feature plenty of offensive talent. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Chris Godwin remain one of the more experienced duos in the NFC.
This game also carries some added intrigue for Detroit fans. Former Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone and defensive lineman Al-Quadin Muhammad both signed with Tampa Bay during the offseason and will return to Ford Field to face their former team.
The Buccaneers finished last season 8-9 and narrowly missed the playoffs, but this matchup sets up well for them. Detroit could still be dealing with jet lag and the physical toll from the previous week’s international game. Even though the Lions have enjoyed recent success against Tampa Bay, the circumstances surrounding this matchup make it difficult to pick Detroit.
Score prediction: Buccaneers 23, Lions 21
Week 12: Lions vs. Bears
Thanksgiving football returns to Detroit with plenty of storylines attached. Former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson makes his return to Ford Field as the head coach of the Chicago Bears.
The Lions swept Chicago last season and have consistently found ways to exploit the Bears defensively in recent years. While the rivalry games are rarely easy, this matchup feels like a perfect bounce-back opportunity for Detroit after consecutive losses.
Detroit also has extra motivation after falling to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving last season. Expect Ford Field to be electric with the national spotlight once again focused on the Lions.
The Bears remain a dangerous team with young talent on both sides of the ball, but Detroit’s offense should regain its rhythm at home. The Lions’ offensive line and running game could ultimately wear Chicago down in the second half.
Score prediction: Lions 28, Bears 21
Week 13: Lions at Falcons
Detroit closes this stretch on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. The biggest question entering this matchup revolves around Atlanta’s quarterback situation. The Falcons have multiple capable options, including Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa, making it difficult to know exactly what Detroit will face by Week 13.
Atlanta does possess elite offensive weapons. Running back Bijan Robinson continues to emerge as one of the NFL’s top playmakers, while wide receiver Drake London gives the Falcons a reliable target in the passing game. Cornerback A.J. Terrell also anchors a talented secondary capable of creating problems for opposing offenses.
Still, this feels like the game where Detroit regroups. After dropping back-to-back contests, the Lions should enter Atlanta with renewed urgency. Detroit’s balanced offense and improved defensive depth could be enough to slow down the Falcons and get the season back on track.
Score prediction: Lions 24, Falcons 20
Overall Outlook
This four-game stretch may ultimately define Detroit’s season. The Lions face travel challenges, short rest and several emotionally charged matchups, including Ben Johnson’s return to Detroit on Thanksgiving.
I have the Lions dropping consecutive games to the Patriots and Buccaneers before rebounding with wins over the Bears and Falcons. Even at 10-2 following this stretch, Detroit would still remain firmly in control of the NFC race and positioned as one of the league’s top Super Bowl contenders heading into the final month of the season.