After looking like the 2nd half of the season would be a cakewalk, suddenly the Lions schedule looks very difficult and it could be argued our easiest remaing game is on Thanksgiving vs the Packers. Here’s how I would rate the rest of the season’s games, from most difficult to easiest:
- @ Cowboys
- @ Vikings
- Broncos
- Vikings
- @ Saints
- @ Bears
- Packers
I look at this as a very tough schedule and 3-4 losses is not out of the realm. At NO and at CHI will be very hard to win. Broncos are one of the hottest teams and have Sean Payton turning things around. I only feel comfortable with the Packers on Thursday, but all division games are unpredictable.
Truth is, we haven’t shown that we can beat the top teams. I think we are in that 2nd tier of teams that should beat bad and below average teams but we aren’t dominating them. I think we can also beat some good teams depending on their QB’s style of play. We are very good against pocket passers but if the QB is mobile and he has a few receiving options I think we can only win in shootouts.
Of the teams remaining, I think we should beat the Pack, Bears, Saints. I think Broncos and Vikings are tough matchups because of how mobile their QBs are but I think Vikings should be a team we can beat whereas I think Broncos fit the mold of the teams that we struggle with. There is also the Sean Payton/Campbell relationship. If neither of us lose by the time that games comes around its going to be a massive talking heads storyline.
I think Cowboys are less threatening than the Broncos mostly because McCarthy and Dak haven’t shown that they aren’t chokers since coming to Dallas.