Detroit Lions 2014 Schedule Breakdown

New Detroit head coach Jim Caldwell (center) hopes to lead the underperforming Lions back to the playoffs in 2014. 

The Detroit Lions' schedule for the 2014 season has been revealed. While the NFL Draft has not taken place yet, the chances that the Lions choose a truly team-changing player is slim, so I'll make an early prediction on Detroit's win-loss record for next season.

First of all, the schedule.

Week 1 – Monday, September 8 – vs New York Giants

Week 2 – Sunday, September 14 – @ Carolina Panthers

Week 3 – Sunday, September 21 – vs Green Bay Packers

Week 4 – Sunday, September 28 – @ New York Jets

Week 5 – Sunday, October 5 – vs Buffalo Bills

Week 6 – Sunday, October 12 – @ Minnesota Vikings

Week 7 – Sunday, October 19 – vs New Orleans Saints

Week 8 – Sunday, October 26 – @ Atlanta Falcons (London)

Week 9 – BYE

Week 10 – Sunday, November 9 – vs Miami Dolphins

Week 11 – Sunday, November 16 – @ Arizona Cardinals

Week 12 – Sunday, November 23 – @ New England Patriots

Week 13 – Thursday, November 27 – vs Chicago Bears

Week 14 – Sunday, December 7 – vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 15 – Sunday, December 14 – vs Minnesota Vikings

Week 16 – Sunday, December 21 – @ Chicago Bears

Week 17 – Sunday, December 28 – @ Green Bay Packers

Now, here are the games where I think Detroit will pick up wins: vs Giants, at Panthers, at Jets, vs Bills, at Vikings, vs Miami, vs Tampa Bay, and vs Minnesota.

The losses are as follows: vs Green Bay, vs New Orleans, "at" Atlanta, at Arizona, at New England, vs Chicago, at Chicago, and at Green Bay.

Much like the past three seasons, the Lions have a favorable schedule to open up the year. Out of the first six games, five are quite winnable, and Detroit could go into their bye in week nine with a very understandable 5-3 or 6-2 record.

But, the back end of the schedule will be tough, beginning in week 11 with a game in Arizona, where the Lions haven't won since 1993. Detroit then travels to Foxborough for an away game against the Patriots, followed by a short three-day week before a game at home against Chicago on Thursday (the Bears come off a game in Chicago versus Tampa Bay as Detroit plays New England).

Match-ups with Tampa Bay and Minnesota will then be anything but “gimmes,” as exemplified by the Buccaneers' 24-21 win over the Lions in Detroit last season, although I've tallied them as wins. 

Ending the season, games at Chicago and at Green Bay will be difficult as usual, especially with all three teams possibly in the hunt for a playoff position, and possibly home-field advantage. Of course, even if one of the teams has already secured playoff positioning, playing against backups doesn't always ensure a win (see 2011 loss to Packers, 480 yards passing, 6 TDs for Matt Flynn here).

So, my overall record estimate for the Lions in 2014: 8-8; unless we see a major improvement in the defensive backfield and 2011 Matthew Stafford, which I hope is the case.