Tuesday open thread: What will the Detroit Lions’ record be over the next four games?

The Detroit Lions are currently at 4-5. And while they haven’t looked like a playoff-worthy team, they find themselves not that far away from a postseason spot.

They are currently tied with the Minnesota Vikings for the ninth seed in the NFC, just two positions outside of a playoff spot. Above them are the 5-5 Chicago Bears, who have lost four straight games, and the 6-3 Seattle Seahawks, who have lost three of their last four games.

The next four games will tell us a lot about the Detroit Lions. If they can come out with a winning record, they may actually have a real chance at a playoff spot, which seems absolutely ridiculous right now. But even if they just go 2-2, it seems unlikely they’ll be able to pull off a ridiculous playoff run.

So today’s Question of the Day is:

What will be the Lions’ record over the next four games?

First, let’s check the schedule:

• Week 11: at Panthers (3-7)
• Week 12: vs. Texans (2-7)
• Week 13: at Bears (5-5)
• Week 14: vs. Packers (7-2)

I think the Lions will either go 1-3 or 2-2 over that span. While the next three certainly look winnable, this Lions team just isn’t that good. They were handed a win from a 3-6 Falcons team that outplayed Detroit. They barely squeaked by against the 2-7 Washington Football Team. It would not surprise me in the slightest to see them drop at least two of the next three.

That being said, there are some reasons for optimism. The offense looks revitalized now that they’ve finally accepted that D’Andre Swift should be a focal point. And, hopefully, Kenny Golladay is on track to return soon, too.

The real question is the defense, and if I’m being completely honest, I have absolutely no faith in that side of the ball turning it around. Unfortunately for Detroit, Carolina and Green Bay both have solid offenses, and Houston’s got a hell of a quarterback.

If I had to guess, I think the Lions will go 2-2 over the next four. Your turn.