In case you hadn't heard, the 2020 NFL schedule was released Thursday night.
The Lions kick things off by hosting the Bears, welcome in the Texans on Thanksgiving and close the year by hosting the Vikings. Here are five games that immediately caught our eye, including Tom Brady and the Bucs coming to town on Christmas.
With free agency and the draft behind us, we have a pretty good idea of what each team will look like this season. So let's dive in and make some picks. Here's the distinguished duo of Karsch and Jamie to predict Detroit's season, along with our hired gun Wojodamus.
JAMIE
Week 1, vs. Bears: W
Week 2, @ Packers: L
Week 3, @ Cardinals: L
Week 4, vs. Saints: L
Week 5, BYE
Week 6, @ Jaguars: W
Week 7, @ Falcons: W
Week 8, vs Colts: W
Week 9, @ Vikings: L
Week 10, vs. Redskins: W
Week 11, @ Panthers: W
Week 12 (Thanksgiving), vs. Texans: L
Week 13, @ Bears: L
Week 14, vs. Packers: W
Week, 15: @ Titans: L
Week 16, vs. Buccaneers: L
Week 17, v. Vikings: L
Final record: 7-9
Jamie's Take: I think the offense will be much better with a second year under Darrell Bevell and a healthy Matthew Stafford. I still worry about where the pass rush is coming from and leaving inexperienced corners on a bit of an island. The Bears will stink and the Packers and Vikings will contend for the division title.
KARSCH
Week 1, vs. Bears: W
Week 2, @ Packers: L
Week 3, @ Cardinals: W
Week 4, vs. Saints: L
Week 5, BYE
Week 6, @ Jaguars: W
Week 7, @ Falcons: L
Week 8, vs Colts: W
Week 9, @ Vikings: L
Week 10, vs. Redskins: W
Week 11, @ Panthers: W
Week 12 (Thanksgiving), vs. Texans: L
Week 13, @ Bears: W
Week 14, vs. Packers: L
Week, 15: @ Titans: L
Week 16, vs. Buccaneers: W
Week 17, v. Vikings: W
Final Record: 9-7
Karsch's Take: I'm a hopeless optimist.
Narrator's Take: Optimism, around here, is the Lions finishing third in the NFC North.
WOJODAMUS
Week 1, vs. Bears: W
Week 2, @ Packers: L
Week 3, @ Cardinals: L
Week 4, vs. Saints: W
Week 5, BYE
Week 6, @ Jaguars: W
Week 7, @ Falcons: L
Week 8, vs Colts: W
Week 9, @ Vikings: L
Week 10, vs. Redskins: W
Week 11, @ Panthers: W
Week 12 (Thanksgiving), vs. Texans: L
Week 13, @ Bears: L
Week 14, vs. Packers: L
Week, 15: @ Titans: L
Week 16, vs. Buccaneers: L
Week 17, v. Vikings: W
Final Record: 7-9
Wojo's Take: The Lions survive a tough early stretch and churn into the Thanksgiving game against Houston with a 6-4 record. And then, with excitement rising, Deshaun Watson and the Texans deflate it. That sparks a swoon, five losses in a row, including a crusher against the Bucs and Tom Brady the day after Christmas. The Lions beat the Vikings in the finale to finish 7-9 and just miss out in the NFL's expanded playoff.
