Justin Rogers predicts Lions' 2016 season

At Indianapolis – With the Colts coping with a banged-up secondary and a mediocre offense line, this is a road game the Lions could steal. It could be something of a shootout, given the knack for both quarterbacks to put up big numbers and plenty of receiving options on both sides, but Detroit’s defense is better, or at the very least, healthier than the Colts’ unit entering this contest. PREDICTION: WIN

TENNESSEE – The Titans come to Detroit with a young roster, led by a young quarterback. Marcus Mariota is a true dual-threat talent, and Tennessee’s run game should be much improved with the tandem of DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry, but it’s difficult to imagine the team’s passing defense, which allowed opposing QBs to post a 101.3 passer rating last year, slowing down Matthew Stafford consistently. PREDICTION: WIN

At Green Bay – Last year’s trip to Lambeau was a feel-good story that kick-started the team’s second-half surge. And it’s nice for the Lions to catch the Packers on the road when the weather is still nice. But those two factors won’t be enough to add up to a rare winning streak in Wisconsin. Aaron Rodgers will expose the weak links in the Detroit secondary and send the Lions to their first loss of the season. PREDICTION: LOSS

At Chicago – The Bears are going to make a competitive jump in John Fox’s second year coaching the team. The defense, even with Pernell McPhee out for this contest, will be better, and the offense should be more potent with the additions of wide receiver Kevin White and veteran guard Josh Sitton. Chicago has lost six straight to Detroit, but that ends here. PREDICTION: LOSS

PHILADELPHIA – Former Lions coach Jim Schwartz is now managing the Philadelphia defense, and with a potent group of talent up front, they’ll have some success rattling opposing quarterbacks. But with rookie signal-caller Carson Wentz running the offense, the Eagles are going to struggle to put up points this year. PREDICTION: WIN

LOS ANGELES – The Rams were bad last season, but still managed to hand the Lions one of their two losses in the second half. But that was on the road, and there was a lingering hangover from the Hail Mary loss to Green Bay the week before. Los Angeles looks worse this year, especially in the secondary, so Detroit shouldn’t have a problem moving the ball. And whether it’s Case Keenum or rookie Jared Goff at quarterback, the Lions defense shouldn’t have much trouble in this one. PREDICTION: WIN

WASHINGTON – A playoff team last year, Washington looks even better on paper this season with the addition of cornerback Josh Norman and safety David Bruton to the secondary. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is efficient utilizing his wealth of weapons and he gets another boost this year with the addition of deep threat Josh Doctson, the team’s first-round draft pick. PREDICTION: LOSS

At Houston – Houston boasts one of the NFL’s best defenses led by the clear-cut best defensive player in the league. It’s going to be tough for the Lions to find the end zone against J.J. Watt and company. Cornerback Darius Slay is going to have his hands full with Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins, but the bigger issue might be rookie Will Fuller getting deep on Nevin Lawson on the other side of the field. PREDICTION: LOSS

At Minnesota – The Vikings, under Mike Zimmer, have a way of rattling the Lions offense with aggressive pass-rushing concepts. Even with Detroit’s upgraded offensive line, expect Minnesota to effectively bring the heat. And, assuming he stays healthy, Sam Bradford is more than an adequate replacement for Teddy Bridgewater. The veteran quarterback should be really hitting his stride in the Vikings offense at this point in the season. PREDICTION: LOSS

JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars are a trendy sleeper pick this season for good reason. Quarterback Blake Bortles has rapidly improved and has good weapons on the outside, the running game is better with the addition of Chris Ivory and the defense is getting a big injection of talent with rookie Jalen Ramsey, last year’s top pick Dante Fowler and prized free-agent addition Malik Jackson. These cats are no longer the punching bag they’ve been much of the past decade. PREDICTION: LOSS

MINNESOTA – On the heels of a four-game losing streak, desperation hits, with the Lions realizing they are once again playing for coach Jim Caldwell’s job. As long as the Detroit can keep Minnesota off the scoreboard early, the Ford Field crowd’s energy will help carry the team to victory. PREDICTION: WIN

At New Orleans – There’s nothing easy about winning at the Superdome, but this Saints defense is looking atrocious once again. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Stafford post his season-best numbers in this contest. PREDICTION: WIN

CHICAGO – The Bears have a knack for shooting themselves in the foot at Ford Field, where they’ve lost three straight and four of five. The crowd noise rattles Chicago’s offense line and quarterback Jay Cutler is good for one critical turnover. The good times keep rolling with a third straight victory and talk radio is buzzing about running the table. PREDICTION: WIN

At New York Giants – The Lions like to tell themselves they’re an indoor team with an outdoor mentality, but that talk is cheap. It might be too early for snow, but Detroit’s offense is going to sputter in the chilly conditions. PREDICTION: LOSS

At Dallas – It will be interesting to see if the Cowboys are still in play of a postseason berth at this point of the season and if quarterback Tony Romo is back under center leading the team. The loss in New York will put Detroit on the brink of elimination, but the Lions will be driven to avenge the wild card loss from two years ago. PREDICTION: WIN