Predicting Detroit Lions 2018 schedule: 9-7 reasonable for Matt Patricia

Yes, it’s early. And yes, this is subject to change based on injuries and draft picks and everything else that goes on this offseason.

But what would schedule release day be without a way-too-early, don’t-hold-me-to-it game-by-game predictions for the 2018 Detroit Lions schedule?

More: Lions schedule: Sunday Night vs. Pats; Thanksgiving vs. Bears

Here goes nothin’.

Week 1: vs. New York Jets — New Lions coach Matt Patricia spent 14 years in the AFC East, so he knows the Jets well. New York could be starting a rookie at QB, but that won’t ruin Patricia’s prime time opener as Lions coach.

Pick: Lions 31, Jets 21

More: Why are the Lions and Jets opening on Monday Night Football?

Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers — Patricia knows Jimmy Garoppolo well, too. But the 49ers changed the fortunes of their franchise by trading for him last fall, and they should be legitimate playoff contenders this year.

Pick: 49ers 27, Lions 23

Week 3: vs. New England Patriots — The Patricia reunion tour continues with the biggest of all, a Sunday night game against his old team the Patriots. If Tom Brady retires, all bets are off. If he’s back, New England is still one of the best teams in the league.

Pick: Patriots 31, Lions 24

Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys — Dez Bryant is gone, but the Cowboys are still one of the best teams in the NFL (if their offensive line stays healthy and Ezekiel Elliott is on the field). Chalk one up for Rod Marinelli.

Pick: Cowboys 24, Lions 16

Week 5: vs. Green Bay Packers — The Packers have the best quarterback in the NFL, but they have holes elsewhere. After a tough three-game stretch to close September, the Lions will be happy to get back home.

Pick: Lions 27, Packers 24.

Week 6: Bye

Week 7: at Miami Dolphins — This game was a lot more appealing when Ndamukong Suh was in Miami. Now, it's a game the Lions should win against a mediocre team.

Pick: Lions 30, Dolphins 23

Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks — No Richard Sherman, no Cliff Avril, no Michael Bennett, no Marshawn Lynch. These aren't your older brother's Seahawks anymore.

Pick: Lions 24, Seahawks 17

Week 9: at Minnesota Vikings — The Vikings are all in on the 2018 season. Kirk Cousins was a nice addition and Dalvin Cook should be back to full health, but the Vikings' defense is really what sets them apart.

Pick: Vikings 17, Lions 13

Week 10: at Chicago Bears — As bad as the Bears were last year, they still gave the Lions a couple tough battles. The Bears will be better this year, enough so that they win a couple division games.

Pick: Bears 20, Lions 19

Week 11: vs. Carolina Panthers — Ed Dickson is gone, right? Then the Lions have this one in the bag.

Pick: Lions 28, Panthers 20

Week 12: vs. Chicago Bears — I think the Bears will be better this year, but not good enough to beat the Lions twice. Patricia can enjoy his Thanksgiving at home.

Pick: Lions 34, Bears 17

Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams — The Rams have the defensive line the Lions should have had a few years back, with Suh and Aaron Donald two wrecking balls in the middle. Look out, Matthew Stafford.

Pick: Rams 27, Lions 17

Week 14: at Arizona Cardinals — A trip to Arizona in December? The scheduling gods were looking out for Lions fans who suffered through this cold April. For a topper, the Lions get a win, too.

Pick: Lions 30, Cardinals 17

Week 15: at Buffalo Bills — OK, so maybe the scheduling gods weren't totally looking out for the Lions. A cold-weather game in December isn't optimal, but these are the games the Lions must win if they're going to make the playoffs:

Pick: Lions 21, Bills 17

Week 16: vs. Minnesota Vikings — The Lions play three of their final four games on the road, with two of them in cold-weather cities. The lone December home game? Against the defending NFC North champs, of course.

Pick: Lions 17, Vikings 16

Week 17: at Green Bay Packers – You can just about bank on the Lions and Packers playing in Week 17 annually. If the division is on the line here, as it was two years ago, the Packers won't lose at Lambeau Field.

Pick: Packers 24, Lions 20

So there you have it. A 9-7 record in Matt Patricia's first season as Lions coach. It might not be enough to get the Lions to the playoffs, but it's a reasonable start to a new era.

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!