Seidel: Lions' 2015 schedule may make playoffs a stretch

Warning: This column is a lot like a Detroit Lions' playoff game. It does not have a happy ending.

It's a cautionary tale for anyone who thinks the Lions will return to the playoffs in 2015, a dose of reality for those who assume this team will continue on an upward trajectory, although a true Lions fan, who has had his heart broken a gazillion times, would never truly feel that way. Hopeful? Always. True believers? Not if you treasure your sanity.

"There is no playing for next year," running back Reggie Bush said after the Lions failed to win a playoff game for the 23rd straight year. "There is no rebuilding years. There is no, 'Oh, we'll be better next year.' "

And suddenly, he sounded like an experienced Lion.

"There is now," Bush said. "This team won't be the same team next year. Every year, there are new guys, new faces, new coaches. That's just the way it is. There is no guarantee that this offense will be greater, (but) that's what we plan to be. There is no guarantee that this team will be better, (but) that's what we plan for it to be. But we will have to work extra hard for it."

That might sound depressing for those clinging to hope at a bright future, but it is the voice of reason. Bush has played nine years in the NFL and has made the playoffs three times. In his rookie season, the New Orleans Saints were 10-6 and advanced to the NFC championship game. "We were positive that we were going to win the Super Bowl the next year," Bush said.

The next year, the Saints lost their first four games, finished 7-9 and failed to make the playoffs. As far as the Super Bowl? "We didn't even sniff it," Bush said.

This, of course, is a familiar story to all Lions fans, who have lived that experience, well, forever.

Looking ahead to next year, which is dangerous this time of year before the draft and free agency, it seems unlikely the Lions will finish 11-5 again, or even better, because their schedule is tougher.

I can see five potential losses, or more, real fast from this group of games: Green Bay at Lambeau (if not also at home), Denver, Seattle, San Diego, Kansas City and Philadelphia. Playing against New Orleans — Sean Payton facing his own offense — sounds challenging, even if the Saints had a horrible defense this season. And don't dismiss the Vikings, a team that won three of its last five games, and both losses were by two points.

The Lions have improved, but quarterback Matthew Stafford has never beaten a good team on the road. So don't be foolish and assume this team is headed back to the playoffs. Until they unseat the Packers, they are looking at another wild-card berth, at best.

Did the Lions improve this season? Yes, they won more games, and that should be celebrated. Coach Jim Caldwell did a masterful job getting this team to the playoffs, and the defense was phenomenal. But let's be real. They did not win any big games on the road, and they are not even close to elite, not after they got crushed on the road by the Packers and Patriots.

OK. Enough gloom and doom. The NFL sells hope. Hope your team will improve through the draft, and hope that a new year will bring a new result. So how can the Lions get back to the playoffs and actually win a game? Obviously, the area where they can improve most is on offense. But is offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi the right person for the job? From the outside looking in, questions are understandable, but Caldwell still has faith in him. When asked how he would evaluate Lombardi, Caldwell said he was "very good" because he had to juggle so many injuries, calling plays while protecting different players and hiding weaknesses.

"It's a lot different than public perception, trust me," Caldwell said. "What he did in terms of being able to get us through some of those very rough spots was exceptional, the whole offensive staff."

On the positive side, the Lions should improve on offense, just from being in this system another year.

In the end, the Lions won 11 games. By that measure, it was a good year.

But getting to 11 wins next year sounds extremely difficult, if not overly optimistic.

Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @seideljeff.

Lions' 2015 opponents

Home: Packers (12-4), Vikings (7-9), Bears (5-11), Cardinals (11-5), 49ers (8-8), Broncos (12-4), Raiders (3-13), Eagles (10-6).

Road: Packers (12-4), Vikings (7-9), Bears (5-11), Seahawks (12-4), Rams (6-10), Chiefs (9-7), Chargers (9-7), Saints (7-9).