Detroit Lions’ 2011 Schedule: NFL’s Fourth-Toughest, Perfect for Respect

April 21, 2011   ·   Dean Holden   ·   Jump to comments

Seems like the Detroit Lions always get shafted when the schedules come out, don’t they?
Of course the Lions couldn’t have drawn the NFC West this year. They get the rough-and-tumble NFC South and the unpredictable AFC West.
And to make matters worse, they open with three of their first four on the road for the second straight year. The home game is against the AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs, i.e. not any easier than the road tests.
But really, is a tough schedule something to whine about, or is it an opportunity?
If the Lions had the league’s easiest schedule and went 10-6, they would be dogged all year by “who have they played” criticisms (think last year’s Tampa Bay Bucs).
Playing the league’s fourth-toughest schedule leaves no room for doubt if the Lions have a breakout year.
Of course, talk of difficult schedules is usually a self-fulfilling prophecy. Strength of schedule is figured by opponents&r...

Read Complete Article at Bleacher Report - NFL
Article is property of BleacherReport.com