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Detroit Lions: 2015 schedule features brutal start

By Andrew C. Fisher

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With the NFL’s popularity soaring, its annual schedule release day has become an online event of sorts. Fans are usually going on about three months without football, so hearing how the upcoming season will play out is a big deal. It gets everyone their football fix and generates buzz as the draft approaches. When it comes to the Detroit Lions 2015 schedule, you could say they have their work cut out for them.

Here’s a look at what’s to come next Fall (all times Eastern):

Week 1: @ San Diego – 4:05 PM
Week 2: @Minnesota – 1:00 PM
Week 3: Denver – 8:30 PM
Week 4: @ Seattle – 8:30 PM (MNF)
Week 5: Arizona – 4:05 PM
Week 6: Chicago – 1:00 PM
Week 7: Minnesota – 1:00 PM
Week 8: @ Kansas City – 9:30 AM (London)
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: @ Green Bay – 1:00 PM
Week 11: Oakland – 1:00 PM
Week 12: Philadelphia – 12:30 PM
Week 13: Green Bay – 8:25 PM (TNF)
Week 14: @ St. Louis – 1:00 PM
Week 15: @ New Orleans – 8:30 PM (MNF)
Week 16: San Francisco – 1:00 PM
Week 17: @ Chicago – 1:00 PM

When you talk about teams that will be tested early on in 2015, the Lions are sure to be mentioned. What a slate of games to kick things off.

No matter the opponents, starting with two games on the road is never easy. The Chargers are always tough in San Diego and you never know what will happen in a game against the division rival Vikings.

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Then to finally get the home schedule underway they have a date with Peyton Manning, followed by a road Monday Night Football game in front of the 12th Man.

The playoff-caliber Cardinals will be in town in Week 5, which is followed by two more divisional games and a trip to London. Yes, a trip over the pond to cap off an absolutely brutal first half.

By the time Week 9 rolls around fans will know exactly how good this Lions team is. Based on how the first half teams have played over the past few seasons and given that there’s three divisional games as well, it’s not crazy to say that 4-4 would be acceptable.

It’s not like the Lions truly have to run the first half gauntlet or go 6-2, they can limp to the bye at .500 and still have a chance with the way their second half lays out.

With the exception of Green Bay twice in the last eight games, Detroit figures to have a great shot at defeating the rest of its opponents. Philadelphia, St. Louis, New Orleans and San Francisco are all teams with big questions marks heading into 2015.

The crazy part is that many fans will now starting looking forward to these showdowns, but yet the roster isn’t even close to being put together. The Lions have major needs along both their offensive and defensive lines that must be addressed in the upcoming draft.

The good news is that with a proven franchise quarterback at the helm and the best wide receiver in football already on the roster, Detroit is going to have a puncher’s chance in many of the tough games sure to come next season.

Next: Lions Should Take DT In First Round

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