Detroit Lions: Preseason Panic Mode 2021 Schedule Edition

The Detroit Lions are used to being the underdogs so there’s almost always no pressure. Now that they’ve retooled in the offseason can they finally be competitive again or will it be panic mode all over again?

Via Profootballtalk.com

Week 1: 9/12 vs. 49ers, 1 PM, Fox
Week 2: 9/20 at Packers, 8:15 PM, ESPN
Week 3: 9/26 vs. Ravens, 1 PM, CBS
Week 4: 10/3 at Bears, 1 PM, Fox
Week 5: 10/10 at Vikings,1 PM, Fox
Week 6: 10/17 vs. Bengals, 1 PM, Fox
Week 7: 10/24 at Rams, 4:05 PM, Fox
Week 8: 10/31 vs. Eagles, 1 PM, Fox
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: 11/14 at Steelers, 1 PM, Fox
Week 11: 11/21 at Browns, 1 PM, Fox
Week 12: 11/25 vs. Bears, 12:30 PM, Fox
Week 13: 12/5 vs. Vikings, 1 PM, CBS
Week 14: 12/12 at Broncos, 4:05 PM, Fox
Week 15: 12/19 vs. Cardinals, 1 PM, Fox
Week 16: 12/26 at Falcons, 1 PM, Fox
Week 17: 1/2 at Seahawks, 4:25 PM, Fox
Week 18: 1/9 vs. Packers, 1 PM, Fox

New Leading Duo

With a new coach at the helm and a new quarterback under center, it’s a fresh start for the Detroit Lions. Matt Patricia was fired and Matthew Stanford was traded. Now the Lions are rolling with former tight end Dan Campbell and Jared Goff. Campbell a former player knows all about earning respect and Goff needed a fresh start. It might take the Lions a bit to gel off the bat and for that will be a rough start.

More NFL: Bengals Preseason Panic Mode Schedule Edition

No Easy Games

Looking down the schedule, the Lions won’t have many games you can predict a win with certainty. While it will be a year of retooling, there’s going to be some aches and pains along the way too. Between tough defenses and teams they don’t play often, the new-look Lions will see a lot of challenges all season long. How they rebound might be their sole bright spot this season.

Low Expectations

While fans might be excited about a fresh start, there’s not a lot of people betting on the Detroit Lions this year. With no disrespect to the team, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to earn respect around the league. Between keeping games close or even some upsets, it will set the tone for the Dan Campbell era. In a city that’s used to having a bad football team, the pressure to go out and win the Super Bowl won’t come right away. This year the bar has to be at not being the league’s bottom feeders.

The Lions have been historically bad throughout their history. Maybe it’s bad coaching or maybe it’s the unwillingness to develop talent then pay them when it comes to their contract year. Getting the help of their star has always been a struggle for the Lions. Can Dan Campbell and company finally turn it around?