Detroit Lions season prediction

In their latest issue, Sports Illustrated has claimed the Detroit Lions will go 10-6 this season -- but not make the playoffs.

I just don't see it. After having a fairly weak schedule the last couple years, and still floundering, the NFL has beefed up their competition a bit. So let's see, game by game.

NY Jets. OK, as bad as the Lions are, the Jets are worse -- much worse. A win.

@ San Francisco. The Lions have historically folded when playing out west and the Niners are much improved. Jimmy G appears to be the real deal. A loss.

New England. Brady's getting old and the Pats always appear to have gaping deficiencies -- until Bellichick works his magic again -- but c'mon. Another L.

@ Dallas. Da Boys ain't what they used to be, and losing Jason Witten to the broadcast booth is a serious hit. But on the road in Dallas? I still like the Jones boys. An L.

Green Bay. For whatever reason, the Lions always play the Packers tough at home. The Cheesers are a much better team, but let's say the Lions prevail once again. A W.

Bye week.

@ Miami. Yep, the Dolphins are stink-it-up terrible. A win.

Seattle. They too have suffered serious personnel losses of late. And it's in Detroit. A close call, but let's chalk it up in the W column.

@ Minnesota. The Vikings are Super Bowl contenders. The chances of the Lions waltzing into Minnesota and getting a win? Mighty slim. A loss.

@ Chicago. See Miami above. A win.

Carolina. Another toss up. I gave the last one (Seattle) to Detroit, so I'm giving this one to the Panthers. An L.

Chicago. They'll romp over Da Bears at home. A win.

LA Rams. They're greatly improved and still coming under their new young head coach. A loss.

@ Arizona. A definite maybe, but the out-west thing comes into play again. An L.

@ Buffalo. An interesting game. Sure, the Bills have been gawd-awful for decades. But like the Lions always win a game or two they're not supposed to, likewise do they lose games they should probably win. If they can beat the Packers at home, leave it to the Lions to lose to the Bills on the road. An L.

Minnesota. It will be getting close to crunch time when this game happens. The Vikings will probably need the win to enhance their chances at a division title, and the Lions might -- might -- still be in the playoff chase as a wildcard. When in doubt, go with the home team to give their long-suffering fans one more last gasp at the proverbial hope. A win.

@ Green Bay. On December 30. Frigid conditions are likely. The Packers will have been accustomed to playing in it. The Lions, being an indoor team, will not. When their absolute last chance at making the playoffs is staring them in the face -- they'll crash and burn again at Lambeau. One more L.

So by my fearless prognostications, I see the Lions going 7-9, a far cry from 10-6.

Two things. The Lions have a new head coach in Matt Patricia, a rookie in such a position at that. Throw in a brand new system that will take the players a while to get used to, and they weren't bubbling over with talent in the first place. This does not bode well.

More importantly, just when -- pray tell -- has Sports Illustrated ever got anything right when it comes to predictions?

Granted, my own track record is bad, but those guys should hang their heads in shame. Particularly one Peter King. The dude has long since proven beyond any reasonable doubt that he couldn't "pick" his nose with a power auger, and they still consider him some sort of genius?

Puh-leeze.