Week 8 was very interesting in terms of how future Lions opponents performed. While three teams were off this past week, the teams that did have games produced notable results. For starters, the Vikings beat the Panthers to pick up their first win of the Christian Ponder era and their second win of the season. The Saints, one week after dropping 62 points on the Colts, managed to lose to the previously winless Rams. Finally, the Chargers gave away their game against the Chiefs on Monday night thanks to a very untimely fumbled snap by Philip Rivers.
The road ahead still looks tough for the Lions, but aside from the Packers, no team on the second half of the schedule has been unbeatable this season. In fact, no team other than the Packers has fewer than three losses already. That's promising for Detroit as it tries to make a run at the playoffs.
Bears (4-3) - vs. Lions on Nov. 13 - BYE
Panthers (2-6) - at Lions on Nov. 20 - lost to Vikings at home, 24-21
Packers (7-0) - at Lions on Nov. 24; vs. Lions on Jan. 1 - BYE
Saints (5-3) - vs. Lions on Dec. 4 - lost to Rams on road, 31-21
Vikings (2-6) - at Lions on Dec. 11 - beat Panthers on road, 24-21
Raiders (4-3) - vs. Lions on Dec. 18 - BYE
Chargers (4-3) - at Lions on Dec. 24 - lost to Chiefs on road, 23-20 (OT)