NFL schedule 2019: Biggest game for all 32 teams

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) warming up before the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 30: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions: vs. Chicago Bears

The Lions had a challenging year in 2018, playing very uneven football for first year head coach Matt Patricia. Detroit picked up some huge wins early in the season, topping New England and Green Bay at home, only to waste those with no shows in losses to teams like the Jets and Bills.

The NFC North was particularly problematic for the Lions, who went just 1-5 in the division, a mark they will need to improve upon in order to get back to the postseason. Detroit actually played the Bears very tough last season, and finding a way to top Chicago this year could be the key to Detroit’s playoff chances.

The Bears went 12-4 a year ago, but there are plenty of reasons to believe that Chicago may not have staying power. The NFL is sending the Bears to Detroit on Thanksgiving again this season, and winning that game would be very big for the Lions.

Detroit did make some strong pickups in the offseason, signing Trey Flowers away from the Patriots to bolster their defense and C.J. Anderson to add more depth in the running game. Patricia has to hope that those kind of additions will be enough to help the Lions top Chicago.

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