The good moments have been few and far between for the Detroit Lions. Is this team on track to becoming a playoff contender once again?
Jim Caldwell spent four seasons as head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2014-17. He led the team to a pair of postseason appearances and in his final year at the helm, the club finished 9-7 but missed out on the playoffs. And general manager Bob Quinn opted to go in a different direction.
It was a season of ups and downs for first-time NFL sideline leader Matt Patricia. The club got off to a shaky start but there were some bright spots – including a prime time victory over the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Still, there’s some work to be done as the Lions come off a 6-10 showing and a last-place finish in the NFC North.
When the Detroit Lions’ schedule is announced, we will update immediately. Here are the team’s 2019 opponents, home and away.
Home: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Here is how the complete schedule, week-by-week, lays out for the Detroit Lions:
Week 1: Opponent and time TBA
Week 2: Opponent and time TBA
Week 3: Opponent and time TBA
Week 4: Opponent and time TBA
Week 5: Opponent and time TBA
Week 6: Opponent and time TBA
Week 7: Opponent and time TBA
Week 8: Opponent and time TBA
Week 9: Opponent and time TBA
Week 10: Opponent and time TBA
Week 11: Opponent and time TBA
Week 12: Opponent and time TBA
Week 13: Opponent and time TBA
Week 14: Opponent and time TBA
Week 15: Opponent and time TBA
Week 16: Opponent and time TBA
Week 17: Opponent and time TBA
General manager Bob Quinn was extremely aggressive during free agency and the team has signed its share of notable free agents, including defensive end Trey Flowers, wide receiver Danny Amendola, tight end Jesse James and running back C.J. Anderson.
There’s been no division title since 1993 and no playoff appearance since ’91 for a franchise that hasn’t won an NFL title in more than six decades. Simply put, the second year of the Matt Patricia Era in the Motor City must be better than the first. This is a club that hopes to build a consistent program so a little more patience must be exercised.