Game We’re Most Convinced Is a Loss
Look, I hate this exercise. I really do. It goes against everything this franchise has built under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes. But here we are, staring at the schedule like we’re reading tea leaves, trying to figure out where the football gods will inevitably humble us.
The overwhelming consensus from the Pride of Detroit staff? Week 2 at Buffalo. And honestly, they’re probably right.
Four out of six writers picked that Thursday night trip to Buffalo as the most likely loss on the schedule. Short week. Brand new stadium debut. Josh Allen doing Josh Allen things while Bills Mafia loses their collective minds in the stands. It’s basically a perfect storm of everything that can go wrong for a visiting team.
Brandon Knapp put it simply: tough team, hostile crowd, short prep time. At least there won’t be snow to blame it on.
Erik Schlitt thinks the Lions are built to compete with anyone, but admits that debuting in Buffalo’s new stadium on Thursday night feels like their toughest task. Morgan Cannon hates to say it, but acknowledges Josh Allen is still a problem even with the Lions’ improved linebacker corps. John Whiticar sees an offensive shootout where Detroit might not have found their groove yet.
Then there’s the Thanksgiving take from Al Karsten, and honestly, this one stings because it’s probably accurate. The Lions are 1-4 on Thanksgiving under Campbell. That’s not a typo. One and four. Against Chicago in Week 12, no less, with Ben Johnson now calling plays for the other side.
Karsten points out Detroit will be playing their third game in less than two weeks, coming off matchups in Germany against the Patriots and back home against the Buccaneers.
Jeremy Reisman went with that Week 17 trip to Soldier Field, calling games there “ugly and annoying,” which is probably the most diplomatic way to describe playing in that concrete toilet bowl. Ryan Mathews picked the Week 11 Buccaneers game at Ford Field, noting Tampa Bay has consistently given Detroit problems and they’ll be rested coming off their bye while the Lions fly back from Germany.
Here’s the thing though. This feels different than picking losses in years past. Nobody on that staff sounded convinced these games are automatic defeats. They sound like fans trying to find the most difficult spot on a schedule full of winnable games.
That’s progress. That’s what competent management and coaching gets you. Instead of circling eight losses before the season starts, we’re debating whether Thursday night in Buffalo or Thanksgiving at home is slightly more concerning.
Still hurts to think about though. Because you know one of these writers is going to be right, and we’re all going to remember exactly which game broke our hearts when the calendar flips to January.
Which game on this schedule are you most worried about? Or are you feeling bold enough to think we’re going undefeated? Let me know in the comments before I start shopping for playoff tickets I probably can’t afford.
