The Detroit Lions are constantly finding new ways to lose games, but will they actually go out of their way and put a spot in the Victory Column this season?
On Thanksgiving Day, the Detroit Lions found another unique way to lose, though coaching error took center stage over everything else at some point this season. And even if they hadn’t essentially ceded a first down deep in the red zone with soft pass coverage and been punished for calling on consecutive penalties, the Chicago Bears only needed one field goal to win, and it was just a 28-yarder needed to get it done.
At 0-10-1 and with someone who will win Sunday’s game between the 2-8 Houston Texans and the 2-8 New York Jets, the number 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is getting better and better. At this point in time, a mark in the victory column is the season’s goal.
Will the Lions find a way to win a game this season?
Back in October, we checked the Lions’ chances of 0:17. With six games pending, a draw in the books, and only two games left against teams currently losing history, let’s look at each game and see if the Lions’ chances of victory are to be determined.
Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings
The Lions nearly defeated the Vikings in Week 5 and took the lead in the last minute before the defense prevented absolutely nothing and Minnesota drove to a game-winning field goal. Being at home might help this time around, but this game is just as likely as a bang for the Vikings.
Lions Percentage Chance of Winning: 35%
Week 14: at the Denver Broncos
The road to Denver is a unique challenge for teams that don’t play there regularly. But these Broncos are 5-5 after a 3-0 start against weak competition, and they have a quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater who is ill-equipped to take full advantage of good matchups. And with the way Detroit’s defense has been playing lately, they’re not a pushover.
Lions Percentage Chance of Winning: 55%
Week 15: vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals should have Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins back for this game. Even if somehow they don’t, it will likely only diminish their victory over the Lions.
Lions Percentage Chance of Winning: 5%
Week 16: at the Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are worse than their 4-6 record suggests, and that has been shown in their last two games – a 43-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and a 25-0 loss to the New England Patriots, the didn’t feel that close. This appears to be the most winning game Lions have left.
Lions Percentage Chance of Winning: 68%
Week 17: at the Seattle Seahawks
This feels like the end of an era in Seattle where Russell Wilson will almost certainly be playing elsewhere for the next season, and head coach Pete Carroll may be on his last legs as the Seahawks head coach. It is not out of the question that Seattle will be 4-12 and almost checked out when this game comes up. The Lions can potentially strike and go home with a close, ugly victory. Can you say … victories on the road in a row?
Lions Percentage Chance of Winning: 45%
Week 18: vs. Green Bay Packers
This game can’t mean anything to Green Bay because of their playoff betting / home field advantage, which opens the door for Detroit to win against a bunch of backups while they’re still engaged. But when the Packers have something to play with, all bets on how ugly it gets are gone.
Lions Percentage Chance of Winning: 8%
It cannot be ruled out that from now on the Lions will win not just one (week 16 for the Falcons), but two (week 14 against the Broncos) or even three (week 17 against the Seahawks). Some may think they will not win, but I only see two opponents (Cardinals and Packers) that they absolutely cannot beat under normal circumstances.
The learning curve that has led to critical flaws at key moments so far needs to flatten, and as long as Dan Campbell has not lost the team, the Lions will get a place in the Victory Column before the end of the season. Just don’t expect it to be pretty.
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