Each NFL team’s record prediction for the 2019 season

Detroit Lions: 6-10

Originally, Matt Patricia was supposed to be the one who helped the Detroit Lions return to the level of being a top contender in the NFC after earning the head coaching job last offseason.

Instead, the Lions experienced plenty of struggles through Patricia’s first season as head coach. At least the team was considered one of the big winners from the offseason after landing one of the top free agents in Trey Flowers.

If his time with the New England Patriots is any sign of what to expect, Detroit should see an immediate improvement on the defensive side of the football now that Flowers is part of the picture.

However, as great as the defense could be, whether the Lions actually have what it takes to return to the level of being contenders in the NFC will come down to Matthew Stafford on offense.

Throughout most of his career, Stafford has always been the kind of quarterback who makes the players around him better. One can only imagine how much the former No. 1 pick will benefit from having a healthy Kerryon Johnson to work with in the backfield.

Still, when looking at the rest of the NFC North, would it really come as that much of a surprise if it turned out to be Detroit finishing on the bottom of the division once again?

As if playing in the NFC North wasn’t already a tough enough challenge, the Lions earned the wonderful opportunity of facing one of the toughest divisions football has to offer in the AFC West.