Well, here we are. The Detroit Lions stand 2-1-1 after one quarter of the NFL season.

Exactly as I predicted.

Wait, are you telling me you didn’t see that tie coming at Arizona before the season?

Of course, I’m kidding. My preseason prediction was 8-8. And for a team coming off a 6-10 season, that would have meant improvement.

But now things have changed. On the field and in the locker room. Even at the head coach’s daily news conferences. And we’re all sitting up and taking notice.

There’s a different vibe about the Lions this year, and it’s a positive one. They have the right players and they’re buying in. It’s a good mix of seasoned vets like Devon Kennard, Trey Flowers and Darius Slay who are blending well with promising youngsters like Kerryon Johnson, Tracy Walker and T.J. Hockenson.

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The other positives for the Lions are Matthew Stafford’s strong play, a run game that’s starting to come around and the defense excelling at takeaways.

The negatives include the 12-game gauntlet after this bye week the Lions have to run without a break. Will Stafford and his ailing hip and back make it through the grueling stretch? Will Slay, Hockenson and Quandre Diggs miss significant time with their injuries?

We’ll find out soon enough.

But for now, with three-quarters of the season to go, it’s time to realign my prediction and foretell what the rest of the season holds in store for the Lions when they return from the bye:

Week 6 at Green Bay: The Packers thought coach Mike McCarthy was the problem, but they’ve regressed on offense and couldn’t muster a rally at home against a suspect Eagles team. The Lions have learned to win in Green Bay — they've won three of the past four there — and will open a lot of eyes on Monday night when they claim their third straight victory at Lambeau. Result: Win. Record: 3-1-1.

Week 7 vs. Minnesota: The Vikings have a big problem with Kirk Cousins, the Hero of Holland, at quarterback. They’re 0-2 in the division and have looked bad in those games, scoring a combined 22 points. The Vikes’ defense remains stout, but Cousins hasn’t been the difference maker he was paid to be. It’s a Lions win, and not by a little. Result: Win. Record: 4-1-1.

Week 8 vs. New York Giants: The G-Men haven’t looked too bad with Daniel Jones at quarterback. But it’s uncertain whether Saquon Barkley will be recovered from his high ankle sprain in time for this game. That won’t be enough for the Giants at Ford Field. Result: Win. Record: 5-1-1.

Week 9 at Oakland: Raiders rookie running back Josh Jacobs has been impressive and former Chargers receiver Tyrell Williams can be electric. But the Raiders lack the firepower to put away good teams, releasing embattled receiver Antonio Brown before the season, and losing linebacker Vontaze Burfict to suspension. The Lions return from Oaktown with a 4-0 record in the second quarter of the season. Result: Win. Record: 6-1-1.

Week 10 at Chicago: The Bears are who we thought they were: A great defensive team with a suspect quarterback and offense. Wait, is this 1985? The Lions lose a defensive battle, but Khalil Mack doesn’t send Stafford home on crutches. The Lions live to fight another day. Result: loss. Record: 6-2-1.

Week 11 vs. Dallas: When Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott are firing on all cylinders, the Cowboys are the best team in football. When they aren’t, they lose on four field goals to the Saints. Expect the former — and a sack by Kerry Hyder. Result: loss. Record: 6-3-1.

Week 12 at Washington: After checking on the availability of Slinging Sammy Baugh, Sonny Jurgensen and Joe Theismann, Washington lets a game of rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock decide whether Case Keenum or Dwayne Haskins starts. It doesn’t matter. Lions win in a cakewalk. Result: Win. Record: 7-3-1.

Week 13 vs. Chicago: It’s Thanksgiving, and Lions serve revenge cold by paying back the Bears for last year’s Thanksgiving loss. Result: Win. Record: 8-3-1.

Week 14 at Minnesota: Slay gets caught doing the Skol chant before the game and Cousins shakes off a brief benching a few weeks earlier. Captain Kirk does just enough for the Vikes to pull out a defensive battle. Result: loss. Record: 8-4-1.

Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay: Ndamukong Suh sacks Stafford twice and scores on a scoop-and-score fumble recovery. But the Lions light up a bad Bucs secondary and close in on securing a playoff spot. Result: Win. Record: 9-4-1.

Week 16 at Denver: Von Miller terrorizes the Lions’ offensive line, but the Broncos don’t have the weapons on offense to stave off the Lions. Johnson gets to 1,000 rushing yards. Result: Win. Record: 10-4-1.

Week 17 vs. Green Bay: Ford Field is ready to explode with the NFC North title on the line. It’s a blood bath. The Lions sack Aaron Rodgers four times and they pick him off twice for a double-digit win. Johnson rushes for 125 yards and Stafford easily chugs a beer afterward. The Lions win their first division crown since 1993 and Ford Field gets its first playoff game. Brush Street is temporarily renamed Matt Patricia Way and the Spirit of Detroit dons a beard, cap and pencil. Result: Win. Record: 11-4-1.

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Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.