Enjoy the 7-9 season this year because next year is going to be ugly:
The complete 2008 NFL schedule isn't due out until April.
In the meantime, the Detroit Lions at least know which teams they'll meet on the field next season. The Lions will have the league's ninth-toughest schedule, while the New England Patriots will have the NFL's easiest, according to opponents' winning percentages -- Lions (.543), Patriots (.387) -- from the past season. I guess that makes perfect sense, huh?
The Lions (7-9) will face the following opponents (2007 records in parentheses):
HOME
Chicago (7-9)
Green Bay (13-3)
Jacksonville (11-5)
Minnesota (8-8)
New Orleans (7-9)
Tampa Bay (9-7)
Tennessee (10-6)
Washington (9-7)
AWAY
Atlanta (4-12)
Carolina (7-9)
Chicago (7-9)
Green Bay (13-3)
Houston (8-8)
Indianapolis (13-3)
Minnesota (8-8)
San Francisco (5-11)
Of note:
• The Lions will face seven opponents that reached the playoffs in 2007, including the Green Bay Packers twice. (Detroit had seven games against playoff foes from 2006 this past season.) Five of those matchups will be home games, while the other two will be at Lambeau Field and at the new home of the 2007 Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts.
• The Lions have games against all four teams from the NFL's toughest division, the AFC South, with home games against the Tennessee Titans (10-6) and Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) and road games against the Houston Texans (8-8) and Colts (13-3).
• The Lions will play 10 games against teams that finished 8-8 or better in 2007 and 14 games against teams that finished 7-9 or better. The only cream puffs on their schedule appear to be the Atlanta Falcons (4-12) and San Francisco 49ers (5-11), but both of those games will be on the road.
I smell another 3-13 season coming. Hopefully that will finally be enough to get Millen canned.