Lions predictions review: Record

As we continue to wrap up the 2012 season for the Detroit Lions, let's take a look back at our predictions from before the season. First up is a look at our predictions for the Lions' record.

TuffLynx | Prediction: 12-4

I predicted the Lions to go 12-4 before the season began. I got the numbers right; they were just in the wrong order. I blame it all on a massive intake of Kool-Aid before my prediction and a predilection to be an optimist. There is no doubt I misread the tea leaves on the Lions this season. I expected better coaching, better quarterbacking, a better pass rush and ... well, better everything. This was a very dismal season that removed that "new car shine" from our coaching staff and front office. I am not enamored with them anymore. Heck, I am not sure if I even like them anymore. The Lions need to fix a lot of things and I might have to watch next season with a load of tranquilizers handy.

Jeremy Reisman | Prediction: 9-7

While my final win/loss prediction of 9-7 was way off, I think I pretty much nailed the 2012 season in this sentence:

They could very well fall behind big in games again this year, especially if the offense struggles early in games. And as for all of the comebacks the Lions made last year, there's no way that sort of trend is sustainable.

Still, I did not see the offensive regression coming, nor the cavalcade of mistakes, miscommunications and turnovers. I wouldn't call myself surprised by what happened this year, but definitely disappointed at the lack of growth in some of these players.

Packey | Prediction: 10-6

Before the season, I thought the Lions' schedule presented some problems and could have had the Lions finishing anywhere between 8-8 and 11-5. While a trip back to the playoffs was not fully anticipated, 4-12 was definitely not expected.

That said, I thought the 4-12 was not like that of a typical 4-12 team, if that makes any sense. You can go back and pick out a handful of losses in which they were 1-2 plays away from winning, which if executed properly, would've made 8-8 or even my best-case scenario guess of 11-5 not that far off. Tennessee, Minnesota, Chicago (twice), Green Bay (twice), Houston and Indianapolis were all of the heartbreak variety.

Heading into the Arizona game, the Lions were one of a few remaining NFL teams that had not lost a game by more than 10 points. Being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs at that point, the Lions lost two such games in the season's final three weeks. Bam, 4-12. Swallow sadness.

Sean Yuille | Prediction: 9-7

I figured a step back was inevitable for the Lions after they went 10-6 and made the playoffs in 2011. I didn't think the step back would be anything other than one or two fewer wins, though. The thought of the Lions going 4-12 didn't even cross my mind before the season. If anything, I thought a prediction of an 8-8 record for the Lions was on the extremely pessimistic side of the spectrum. As it turns out, a prediction for something worse than 8-8 was actually much more accurate thanks to the Lions dropping their final eight games of the season to finish 4-12.

POD readers | Prediction: 11-5

In our poll on the Lions' record, 11-5 narrowly edged 10-6. As evidenced by this, there was a lot of optimism surrounding the Lions going into the season. Actually, of the 2,547 votes the poll received, only four of them were for 4-12, and my guess is those four votes didn't even come from Lions fans. Needless to say, we had no idea this awful season was coming back in early September.

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