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I’m not going to sit here and pretend everything is okay with the Detroit Lions right now. Clearly, it isn’t. They’re 1-3, their head coach and general manager are under fire, and a
But the one thing Lions fans may be able to look forward to is their upcoming schedule. Thus far, Detroit’s losses have come against a 4-0 team, a 3-1 team and a 2-2- team. However, their next two opponents—the Jaguars and Falcons—have a combined one win in between them. After a potentially tough game against the Colts (3-1), Detroit has the Vikings (1-3), Washington (1-3), the Panthers (2-2) and the Texans (0-4). So their next seven opponents have a combined record of 8-20. Only one team currently has a winning record.
In fact, by advanced metrics, the Lions have one of the easiest schedules in the remaining 13 weeks of the season. Per ESPN’s Mike Clay, the Lions have the fifth-easiest schedule:
Easiest remaining schedule:
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) October 6, 2020
1. Chiefs
2. Cowboys
3. Browns
4. Packers
5. Lions
Hardest remaining schedule:
1. 49ers
2. Rams
3. Jets
4. Bills
5. Broncos
(per my metrics)
If you’re into Football Outsiders and their DVOA metrics, the Lions’ schedule ranks 11th easiest in the NFL.
Of course, the Lions need to right their own ship before they can start counting wins against these lesser opponents. Teams looking at the Lions (1-3, 24th in DVOA) on their schedule are likely thinking they have a nice break on their docket that week.
- A couple other former Lions players have weighed in on Matt Patricia and his comments about the team he inherited. One positive:
So Patricia to me, was saying: Look, I get it, we all have expectations of greater performance. That’s what I was brought here for to get us to the next level. I knew it was a tough job but I didn’t think it would be this tough. We’re working to right the ship. And stay on track.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) October 7, 2020
Patricia continued:
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) October 7, 2020
In trying to get back on track. I have to stick to what’s gotten me here, that’s won Super Bowls. I want to win, I believe we have the formula, it’s just tough right now. So yeah, our record isn’t what it is but we’re fighting this week for a W
One negative:
As a former captain and leader of @detroitlionsnfl its hard for me to watch my boys play. @dorlovsky said it best. Coach Caldwell had this team on the right track on and off the field. As a player who gave everything I had ever game, we need BETTER and we need it NOW...... pic.twitter.com/WZmdvzSzlK
— Stephen Tulloch (@stephentulloch) October 7, 2020
- Duron Harmon is pissed off that he can’t play this week and fix Detroit’s problems on defense. Kyle Meinke of MLive has more here, or you can just watch Harmon’s passionate press conference here.
- One aspect of the Lions that actually seems to be working as planned? The run blocking:
Team run-blocking grades through WK4:
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) October 6, 2020
1. CLE - 88.1
...
...
...
2. NE - 77.9
4. LAR - 77.5
4. TB - 76.1
5. DET - 75.6 pic.twitter.com/NNsiF3QhAT
- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press dove into the Saints film ($) and found that Matthew Stafford wasn’t nearly as bad as many believed him to be.
- Chris Burke of The Athletic handed out quarterly grades to the Lions ($).
- Just throwing this in here for those of you looking to 2021 already:
Andy Reid on Bieniemy: “Eric is a phenomenal leader. Leader of men ... And his knowledge is second to none.” #Chiefs
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) October 7, 2020