A Fast Start Against a Challenging Schedule Can Give the Lions Plenty of Confidence in 2019

Last season the Detroit Lions got off to a rather awful start under new head coach Matt Patrica, who was hoping to get the fan base to buy in to what the team was selling.

Instead of a fast start, the team was embarrassed in their opener in front of a national television audience, as on this website we felt the Lions would hang and possibly even beat the New York Jets.

No one could have seen the team fall 48-17, turning the ball over often and putting up just 39 yards on the ground.

The team started 1-3, and while they won two straight to get to 3-3, the writing was on the wall as they lost their next three games to fall to 3-6 and never recovered.

This year the team has got to get off to a better start. The first quarter of the season is going to go a long way in determining if this team is going to finally turn things around.

The Lions will start the year at Arizona against the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, quarterback Kyler Murray and the Cardinals.

Both the Cards and Lions are not expected to have much success this year, so while not get off to a quick start with a road win against the Cardinals.

Week two for the home opener the team will welcome in the Los Angeles Chargers, a team that got to the AFC Divisional round before falling to the New England Patriots.

It will be a real test for a Lions defense that played well late in the season, but will have to shut down the likes of Phillip Rivers and Melvin Gordon.

Week three will see another tough road test, as the team will travel to Philadelphia to take on Carson Wentz and the Eagles.

The Eagles won the Super Bowl two seasons ago and also made the divisional round in the NFC lats year before falling to the New Orleans Saints.

The final game of the first four will see yet a third playoff team on the map for the Lions, that being the Kansas City Chiefs.

Pat Mahomes was the league MVP last year, and it will be a huge test at Ford Field to see if the Detroit defense can step up and make it a long day for the young quarterback who surprised everyone last year.

Looking at the slate, it will be up to the coaches to get this team ready for four tough tests against three playoff teams.

A fast start for this team can build the confidence they sorely need to have a successful 2019.

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