MITCH ALBOM: YES
The word contend means to challenge for something, and unlike years past, I don’t think the Lions will be out of the running by Halloween. If they win the division, they make the playoffs, and with the way Chicago traditionally flip-flops, who knows whether they’ll behave like defending Super Bowl participants? So the Lions can contend for their division, which is more than we have said in recent years. Hey. Baby steps. Baby steps.
Will Kitna be Lions’ first Pro Bowl QB since 1971? No
Lions record
8-8
Lions
MVP
Jon Kitna
NFC North
1. Chicago
2. Detroit
3. Minnesota
4. Green Bay
Division winners
NFC
Chicago
New Orleans
Philadelphia
Seattle
AFC
Baltimore
Indianapolis
New England
San Diego
Wild cards
NFC
Carolina
N.Y. Giants
AFC
Cincinnati
Jacksonville
NFC title game
New Orleans over Carolina
AFC title game
Indianapolis over Jacksonville
Super Bowl
Indianapolis over New Orleans
NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA: YES
As long as they win their first two games (at Oakland and at home against Minnesota), they will be able to at least stay in the playoff hunt and keep things interesting. But contending for a playoff spot is one thing, earning a spot is another. Rod Marinelli’s team is still a year away from the playoffs.
Will Kitna be Lions’ first Pro Bowl QB since 1971? No
Lions record
7-9
Lions
MVP
Jon Kitna
NFC North
1. Chicago
2. Detroit
3. Green Bay
4. Minnesota
Division winners
NFC
Chicago
New Orleans
Philadelphia
San Francisco
AFC
Baltimore
Indianapolis
New England
San Diego
Wild cards
NFC
Carolina
Dallas
AFC
Cincinnati
Jacksonville
NFC title game
New Orleans over Philadelphia
AFC title game
Indianapolis over San Diego
Super Bowl
Indianapolis over New Orleans
MICHAEL ROSENBERG: NO
All this talk about quarterback Jon Kitna throwing for 5,000 yards is nice. But the Lions are likely to be a mediocre running team, and their defensive backfield is a disaster. I don’t see how they can contend.
Will Kitna be Lions’ first Pro Bowl QB since 1971? No
Lions record
5-11
Lions
MVP
Roy Williams
NFC North
1. Chicago
2. Green Bay
3. Minnesota
4. Detroit
Division winners
NFC
Chicago
New Orleans
Washington
San Francisco
AFC
Baltimore
Indianapolis
New England
Denver
Wild cards
NFC
St. Louis
Philadelphia
AFC
San Diego
Pittsburgh
NFC title game
Chicago over Washington
AFC title game
New England over Denver
Super Bowl
New England over Chicago
DREW SHARP: NO!
They’ll need Jon Kitna to once again take every offensive snap of the season just for them to have a chance to be mediocre. The odds aren’t good of that happening again. They must win their first games – Oakland and Minnesota – just to have an opportunity to win six games. There remains a sizable talent gap between them and the NFL’s good teams.
Will Kitna be Lions’ first Pro Bowl QB since 1971? No
Lions record
5-11
Lions
MVP
Jason Hanson – again
NFC North
1. Chicago
2. Green Bay
3. Detroit
4. Minnesota
Division winners
NFC
Chicago
New Orleans
Philadelphia
St. Louis
AFC
Baltimore
Indianapolis
New England
San Diego
Wild cards
NFC
Dallas
Carolina
AFC
Pittsburgh
N.Y. Jets
NFC title game
New Orleans over Philadelphia
AFC title game
New England over San Diego
Super Bowl
New Orleans over New England
GEORGE SIPPLE: NO
Appalachian State proved anything is possible, but the Mountaineers have a better shot at winning a rematch with U-M than the Lions have of winning 10 games. The passing game will keep them in a lot of games and Calvin Johnson will have an incredible season. But the Lions won’t make the playoffs.
Will Kitna be Lions’ first Pro Bowl QB since 1971? No
Lions record
6-10
Lions
MVP
Roy Williams
NFC North
1. Chicago
2. Green Bay
3. Detroit
4. Minnesota
Division winners
NFC
Chicago
New Orleans
Dallas
Seattle
AFC
Cincinnati
Indianapolis
New England
San Diego
Wild cards
NFC
Philadelphia
Carolina
AFC
Kansas City
Pittsburgh
NFC title game
New Orleans over Dallas
AFC title game
New England over Indianapolis
Super Bowl
New England over New Orleans
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