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Lions schedule 2013: How future opponents fared in Week 3

A look at how the Detroit Lions' future opponents performed in Week 3 of the season.

By Sean Yuille
Justin K. Aller

Coming into the season, the Detroit Lions had one of the toughest schedules in the entire NFL on paper. Through three weeks, the Lions' schedule looks far from daunting, though. Consider the following statistics:

  • There are six 0-3 teams in the NFL right now, five of which are on the Lions' schedule this year. (Only Jacksonville isn't.)
  • Both of the Lions' wins came against 0-3 teams (Vikings and Redskins), and they still get to play the following 0-3 teams: Steelers, Buccaneers, Giants and Vikings again.
  • The combined record so far of the Lions' 2013 opponents: 17-31 (.354%).

In Week 3, the Lions' future opponents combined to go 6-7. Here's a look at how each team performed:

Week 4 - vs. Bears (3-0) - beat Steelers, 40-23

Chicago forced 5 turnovers in this game and scored a pair of defensive touchdowns en route to a lopsided win in Pittsburgh. Also, the Bears didn't turn the ball over once themselves.

Week 5 - at Packers (1-2) - lost to Bengals, 34-30

Green Bay got in an early 14-0 hole in this game thanks to a pair of Cincinnati touchdowns in a span of 12 seconds before rallying for 30 straight points. The Packers were unable to hold on to their 30-14 lead, though, as the Bengals put together a rally of their own to win by a score of 34-30.

Week 6 - at Browns (1-2) - beat Vikings, 31-27

The Brian Hoyer era began with a crazy win at the Metrodome that featured Jordan Cameron hauling in the game-winning score with only 51 seconds left. Cameron finished the day with 3 touchdowns.

Week 7 - vs. Bengals (2-1) - beat Packers, 34-30

Cincinnati scored the game-winning touchdown with 3:47 left in the fourth quarter on a 58-yard fumble return by Terence Newman. The Bengals forced a total of 4 turnovers in this game, as did the Packers.

Week 8 - vs. Cowboys (2-1) - beat Rams, 31-7

Dallas' defense held St. Louis to 232 total yards and only 35 yards rushing in this game. On offense, Tony Romo went 17 for 24 for 210 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Week 10 - at Bears (3-0) - beat Steelers, 40-23

See above.

Week 11 - at Steelers (0-3) - lost to Bears, 40-23

Amazingly, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 406 yards and Antonio Brown caught 9 passes for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns. Despite those insane numbers, the Steelers could only muster 23 points in a pretty one-sided game. I suppose 5 turnovers will do that.

Week 12 - vs. Buccaneers (0-3) - lost to Patriots, 23-3

It'd be pretty surprising if Josh Freeman is still Tampa Bay's starting quarterback by the time the Lions face this team. Freeman has faced a lot of scrutiny already this season, and he didn't help himself by going 19 for 41 for 236 yards, no touchdowns and an interception on Sunday.

Week 13 - vs. Packers (1-2) - lost to Bengals, 34-30

See above.

Week 14 - at Eagles (1-2) - lost to Chiefs, 26-16

LeSean McCoy was excellent again (158 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries), but Michael Vick's string of solid performances through the air came to a close (only 13 for 30 for 201 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions). 5 turnovers by the Eagles didn't help matters in what turned out to be a pretty sloppy Thursday night game. (To be fair, sloppy and Thursday night game pretty much go hand in hand.)

Week 15 - vs. Ravens (2-1) - beat Texans, 30-9

Baltimore only scored a single offensive touchdown against Houston. The rest of the Ravens' points came via field goals (3 by Justin Tucker), a 37-yard Daryl Smith interception return and an 82-yard Tandon Doss punt return.

Week 16 - vs. Giants (0-3) - lost to Panthers, 38-0

New York is making a strong case for being one of the worst teams in the NFL, as evidenced by the fact that they had only 150 total yards against Carolina. Eli Manning actually passed for 119 yards, but he was sacked 7 times for a loss of 45 yards. Yikes.

Week 17 - at Vikings (0-3) - lost to Browns, 31-27

Minnesota allowed Hoyer to pass for 321 yards and 3 touchdowns on 54 attempts. Hoyer was picked off 3 times as well, but it was a less than stellar day for the Vikings' pass defense. It also wasn't a great day for Adrian Peterson, who needed 25 carries to simply rush for 88 yards and 1 touchdown.

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