Free Press sports reporter Dave Birkett goes down when the 2020 Detroit Lions schedule and how it goes for them.
Detroit Free Press
Scheduling in the spring never seems like a brilliant thing to do, and it is especially the case this year.
the Detroit The Lions open the regular season at home against the Chicago Bears and close it at home against the Minnesota Vikings, but that is only the best of scenarios right now.
The complete program: 2020 Lions Calendar: dates, times, TV
It is unclear what the coronavirus pandemic will do with the timing or composition of the teams playing the games.
I think the Lions will be better this fall, and I don’t think there’s a great team in NFC North. But with just over four months to go before the season starts, I still can’t see the Lions as a playoff team.
Here’s my game-by-game prediction far too early:
QB Lions Matthew Stafford stands in the tunnel before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at American Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. (Photo: Adam Bettcher, Getty Images)Week 1: Lions against bears
September 13, 1 p.m. Fox – The Lions are the only team that will be happy to see the Bears start someone other than Mitchell Trubisky as their quarterback this fall. Choices: Lions 27, Bears 21
Three questions: The Lions schedule is difficult. But can they make the playoffs?
Week 2: Lions at Packers
September 20, 1 p.m. Fox: Lions at Packers – Aaron Rodgers will be a man on a mission at the start of the year, Jordan Love waiting for his time on the bench. Choice: Packers 30, Lions 21
Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson, center, celebrates his touchdown with Danny Amendola during the second half of the Lions’ 27-27 game with the Cardinals on Sunday September 8, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo: Joe Camporeale USA TODAY Sports)
Week 3: Lions with Cardinals
September 27, 4:25 p.m. Fox – As long as Matt Patricia is not on crutches and the Lions do not take time out, they will avenge last year’s tie. Choice: Lions 24, cardinals 23.
[ No prime time games as coronavirus concerns linger ]
Week 4: Lions vs. Saints
October 4, 1 p.m. Fox – Hope you have Drew Brees, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara on your fantastic team this week. Choices: Saints 28, Lions 20
Week 5: Goodbye
Week 6: Lions at Jaguars
October 18, 1 p.m. Fox – Maybe Matthew Stafford can grow a Gardner Minshew mustache during the week. Choices: Lions 27, Jaguars 17
We don’t know when the Detroit Lions will play in 2020, but we do know who they will be facing and where. Here is an overview of the calendar for this season.
Wochit
Week 7: Lions at the Falcons
October 25, 1 p.m. Fox – The Lions are 0-3 in the second straight road game under Matt Patricia. Choices: Falcons 30, Lions 24
Week 8: Lions vs. Colts
November 1, 1 p.m. CBS – Philip Rivers looked like he finished last year. Changing teams won’t do anything different this fall. Choices: Lions 23, Colts 21
Recipient: Marvin Jones Jr. (Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports)
Week 9: Lions at Vikings
Week 9, November 8, 1 p.m. CBS – The Vikings are my choice in early May to win NFC North, and even with Rick Wagner gone, Danielle Hunter licks her lips at the idea of facing the Lions again. Choices: Vikings 19, Lions 16
Week 10: Lions vs. Washington
November 15, 1 p.m. Fox – Chase Young could have two bags in this game, but Jeff Okudah will have the last laugh with a decisive interception. Pick: Lions 27, Washington 13
Week 11: Lions at Panthers
November 22, 1 p.m. Fox – For the second year in a row, the NFL gave the Lions a road game before their annual Thanksgiving affair. Choices: Lions 34, Panthers 21
Week 12: Lions vs. Texans
November 26, 12:30 p.m. CBS – Anyone else have nasty flashbacks from Jim Schwartz throwing a challenge flag on the field while Justin Forsett celebrates in the end zone? Choices: Texans 21, Lions 20
Week 13: Lions at Bears
December 6, 1 p.m. Fox – The Bears are 4-0 against the Lions in the past two years, and as poor as their offense, they should still have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Choice: Bear 17, Lions 13
Week 14: Lions vs. Packers
December 13, 1 p.m. Fox – The Packers won NFC North although they did not lead the Lions for the second time in settlement last year. There will be no last-second heroism this time. Choices: Lions 28, Packers 20
Week 15: Lions at Titans
December 19 or 20, to be determined – I’m still not buying Ryan Tannehill in the quarterback, but the way Derrick Henry crossed the teams at the end of last season worried me about a December game. Choices: Titans 23, Lions 17
Week 16: Lions vs. Buccaneers
December 26 or December 27, to be determined – Not bad storage stuff if you can get them: tickets to see Tom Brady and the Bucs at Ford Field a day or two after Christmas. Choice: Boucaniers 31, Lions 28
Week 17: Lions vs. Vikings
January 3, 1 p.m., Fox – There is no reason why the Lions should not be playing meaningful late season games this year, and that game could well be a playoff game. Choices: Lions 20, Vikings 17
Final record: 8-8.
Contact Dave Birkett at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Learn more about the Detroit Lions and sign up for our Lions newsletter.
