When the Detroit Lions' schedule came out, it felt like the Lions would finish in the middle of the league, so I predicted an 8-8 record. I did that partially because there are so many unknowns at that point in the year. Now? I haven't altered my opinion much. The receivers are better than expected. The offensive line? Still a major question, and how the line protects could be the key to the entire season. Protect well, and the Lions could make the playoffs. Don't, and it could be a long year. So based off what I've seen, I stuck it in the middle again.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, at Indianapolis Colts, 4:25 p.m. ET

Andrew Luck seems back to his old self -- and that's bad news for the Lions as he's going to want to put on a show in his first home game of the season. The Lions' front should be able to pressure him, but the same should be said for Indianapolis' front. And if the Colts line up Robert Mathis on rookie left tackle Taylor Decker, it could be a long day for Matthew Stafford. Record: 0-1

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET

Tennessee is an intriguing team, but the Titans aren't there yet. Stafford should have a really strong day against Tennessee's defense and watch for Marvin Jones to have a breakout game with 125 yards receiving and at least a touchdown. Record: 1-1

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET

The Lions may have won in Green Bay last season, but don't expect a repeat. Aaron Rodgers is healthy and confident. Jordy Nelson is back and Randall Cobb and Eddie Lacy are around. More important, this is another game in which Decker could struggle with the Packers' pass rush. Record: 1-2

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET

Chicago should be better than last season, and the combination of Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White will test the Lions' secondary. The Lions have the advantage everywhere else. Jay Cutler will need time to throw the ball and I'm not close to sold on the Bears' offensive line. This is where Detroit's front four depth makes a huge difference. Record: 2-2.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET

The Lions will see familiar faces when Stephen Tulloch and Jim Schwartz come to town. The Lions know what Tulloch can bring in coverage, so this could be a massive game for Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron. Expect Ezekiel Ansah to have a monster game as well -- especially considering what he did to the Eagles last season. Plus, Detroit's roster is deeper and better than Philadelphia's. This could be the Lions' biggest point differential of the year. Record: 3-2.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m. ET

Aaron Donald could wreck Detroit's game plan on his own depending what the Lions try to do. Expect a lot of short passes in this one to neutralize the Los Angeles pass rush. That actually bodes well for the Lions because Golden Tate and Riddick can make a bunch of guys miss. That ends up being the difference. Record: 4-2.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, vs. Washington Redskins, 1 p.m. ET

This should be a low-scoring game as both Washington and Detroit have pretty good defensive backfields. Both teams seems to be fairly equal with the Lions possibly having the edge at the skill positions. Due to that, Detroit wins a close one. Record: 5-2

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET

Houston could cause the Lions some problems. J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney will wreak havoc on the Lions' offensive line and DeAndre Hopkins could be a major, major problem for Darius Slay. The Lions should be able to get to Brock Osweiler a lot, but this game might be one of the toughest tests for Detroit's offensive line all season. And that doesn't bode well. Record: 5-3

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET

Minnesota has beaten Matthew Stafford up the past couple of seasons and don't expect that to change this year. The line is going to be coming off a really rough week against Watt and Clowney and Minnesota's front seven can bring more pressure than that. Plus, Adrian Peterson should be able to crack what is otherwise a good Lions front four. Record: 5-4

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET

This is one of the most intriguing games on the schedule. The Jaguars have a bunch of hype heading into the season and with good reason. The offense is potent and could have mismatches all over the field. The defense is young, but potentially dangerous. It'll be a close game, but the Allen Robinson catches a touchdown in his home town in the end to win it for Jacksonville. Record: 5-5

Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 24, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 12:30 p.m. ET

It used to be the Lions would be bankable losers on Thanksgiving. The past three seasons, though, the franchise has blown opponents out. That might not happen this time against Minnesota, but the Lions have found a way to show up on Thanksgiving lately. And remembering what Minnesota's defense did to Stafford in Minneapolis, the offensive line has its best game of the season, opening up holes for Ameer Abdullah and giving Stafford time to throw. It's enough, barely, for Detroit to win. Record: 6-5

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET

The Saints have spent the past couple of seasons retooling and unlike last season, the Lions will likely be facing a healthy Drew Brees. Brees finds holes in opposing defenses that most other quarterbacks don't. This ends up being a high-scoring game once again, but unlike last year on Monday Night Football, a healthy Brees makes the difference. Record: 6-6

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET

The Lions have played well against the Bears the past few seasons and expect that trend to continue. By this point, the Lions' offensive line will have figured out some of their early-season issues and the defense remains the team's strength. That doesn't bode well for a Bears team that is still probably a year away. Record: 7-6

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, at New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET

Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Darius Slay will be a premier matchup to watch this season. Where the difference is made, though, is with the Lions' offense. Eric Ebron will be in the midst of a breakout season at this point and this will be his best game as he handles the Giants' linebackers and slot corners with ease and is the reason Detroit wins. Record: 8-6

Week 16: Monday, Dec. 26, at Dallas Cowboys, 8:30 p.m. ET

Dallas has one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and will be able to neutralize Detroit's penetrating front four. This will give Tony Romo time to find Dez Bryant on longer routes and get Ezekiel Elliott holes to run through. This has the potential to be a high-scoring game, but the offensive line quality ends up being the difference, as does the raucous Monday night crowd. Record: 8-7

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET

The Lions and Packers have split the past few seasons. That doesn't happen this time with a potential playoff berth on the line for the Lions and a division title and bye week at stake for the Packers. Green Bay is the better team with the potential MVP at quarterback. In these games, you take the guy who has done it before. Record: 8-8.