Sports Columnist/Writer
NFC North Season Outlook
- Green Bay Packers: With a reloaded offense that ranked number one in PPG last season. Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers should have another remarkable year considering he’s now entering his prime. Defense that ranked last in the league in 2011 is expected to be improved with a couple new additions, including DT Jerel Worthy from Michigan State and DE Nick Perry from USC. Clay Matthews will have a bounce-back year this year and put up huge numbers.
Prediction: 13-3
- Detroit Lions: Not much was done to the Lions roster in the offseason. First round draft pick LT Reilly Reiff is backing up Jeff Backus. Second Round draft pick WR Ryan Broyles is starting the season inactive coming off a knee surgery. The Lions are returning the vaunted front four but still have secondary problems they hope to fix.
Prediction: 10-6
- Chicago Bears: With the signing of Brandon Marshall, this offense looks as if it could be the strength of the team for the first time in forever. RB Matt Forte is happy with his new contract he was demanding during the offseason. Chicago could easily be better than Detroit and be a playoff team this year. QB Cutler and WR Marshall are reunited from their days in Denver.
Prediction: 10-6
- Minnesota Vikings: Star RB Adrian Peterson is coming off a torn ACL that he suffered in week 16 last season. He won’t be expected to be as explosive as usual, and he really is their whole team.
Prediction: 5-11
Game by Game Predictions
Week 2 @ San Francisco 49ers: L
Week 3 @ Tennessee Titans: W
Potent RB Chris Johnson should have a good game, but that’s about all they have. First year starting QB Jake Locker will have his hands full with the Lions pass rush.
Week 4 vs Minnesota Vikings: W
RB Adrian Peterson coming off a torn ACL late last season shouldn’t be back to his full self until next year. Vikings have a weak secondary. I look for Matthew Stafford to have a big game at home against this divisional foe.
Week 5 Bye Week
Week 6 @ Philadelphia Eagles: L
Assuming Eagles’ QB Michael Vick is healthy for this game, Detroit will be overmatched by a very talented team.
Week 7 @ Chicago: L
The addition of WR Brandon Marshall reuniting with QB Jay Cutler should improve the offense which already has a good rushing attack. At home, I have the Bears.
Week 8 vs Seattle Seahawks: W
Rookie QB Russell Wilson was named the starter. Seattle is likely to have an improved, to an already above average, defense using their first two draft picks on linebackers. Detroit firepower at home though should give them the edge.
Week 9 @ Jacksonville Jaguars: W
QB Blaine Gabbert will be rushed in the pocket by the Lions’ front 4. I expect the Lions to rout the Jags in this one. Too much firepower on offense for Jacksonville.
Week 10 @ Minnesota Vikings: W
It’s tough to beat a division foe twice in one season. But, if the Lions want to make the playoffs they must beat the weaker teams, like the Vikings.
Week 11 vs Green Bay Packers: L
Green Bay is the best team in the NFL. It’s very hard to keep up with this offense. Last year Green Bay scored the second most PPG in the history of the NFL.
Week 12 vs Houston Texans: L
On Thanksgiving Day, the Lions never win. It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving if the Lions weren’t to lose, would it? The last time the Lions won on Thanksgiving was 2003. Houston is a great all-around team and will win in a close one.
Week 13 vs Indianapolis Colts: W
First overall pick in the draft, Andrew Luck, comes to visit Detroit. The Colts are coming off the worst record in the league last year. Lions should take it easily at home.
Week 14 @ Green Bay Packers: L
See week 11.
Week 15 @ Arizona Cardinals: W
This game will be tougher than most predict. Arizona quietly went 8-8 last year and 6-2 at home. Detroit will win in a very close one.
Week 16 vs Atlanta Falcons: W
Both teams will be fighting hard for a playoff spot come this time of the year. Should be a shootout at Ford Field. Lions edge the Falcons.
Week 17 vs Chicago Bears: W
The winner of this game could very well make the playoffs, while the loser misses the postseason. It will be a tight one the whole way, but at home the Lions will find a way to pull a victory out and make the playoffs.
Record: 10-6 Wild Card
