If the Detroit Lions are able to manage this schedule and make a second consecutive playoff appearance, they will have done it despite two brutal stretches coming at the beginning and the end of the year. Looking at the schedule, the Lions could start the year 1-4 and still contend for a playoff berth but it won’t be enough. Record: 8-8

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13 at San Diego, 4:05 p.m. FOX

If you’re the Lions, this is a trip that you wanted toward the end of the year, not the beginning. Against a retooling Detroit defense, Philip Rivers could have a lot of time in the pocket to put pressure on Rashean Mathis and Darius Slay. Chargers 23, Lions 17. Record: 0-1

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20 at Minnesota, 1 p.m. FOX

Detroit drew the bad luck here, provided Adrian Peterson is still a Viking. If Peterson is still around, this will be his first home game since his suspension. Expect something special out of him on this day and the Lions to realize how much they miss Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. Vikings 35, Lions 24. Record: 0-2.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27 vs. Denver, 8:30 p.m. NBC

If there is a group of coaches that understand how Peyton Manning works, it is the Lions’ coaches. With an air of desperation and in their home opener, the Lions stun Manning and Denver to give an early salvage to the season. Lions 28, Broncos 24. Record: 1-2.

Week 4: Monday, Oct. 5 at Seattle, 8:30 p.m. ESPN

The high of beating Manning will be short-lived. Richard Sherman vs. Calvin Johnson will be one of the most entertaining matchups of the season and while Golden Tate goes off against his old team with three touchdowns, the Legion of Boom shut off everything else. Seahawks 24, Lions 21. Record 1-3.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11 vs. Arizona, 4:05 p.m. FOX

The Lions return home somewhat desperate again, but Arizona has been able to solve Matthew Stafford the past couple of years. The Lions will struggle with the Cardinals multi-faceted offense and one of the best coaches in the NFL. It doesn’t help that Detroit will have a short week after playing one of the most physical teams in the league before this game. Cardinals 24, Lions 14. Record 1-4.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18 vs. Chicago, 1 p.m. FOX

The Lions have beaten Chicago at Ford Field the past two seasons and have won four straight in the rivalry for the first time since the 1970s. The Bears have a new coaching staff, are changing their defense and still have Jay Cutler. This is enough to give Detroit the win it needs to stop a potential early free fall. Lions 27, Bears 20. Record: 2-4

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25 vs. Minnesota, 1 p.m. FOX

This is the start of a potential big run for the Lions on their schedule. A bunch of home games and there won’t be the extra Peterson factor for Minnesota this time. Instead, the Lions find their offense, score a defensive touchdown and split with the Vikings. Lions 31, Vikings 20. Record 3-4.

Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1 vs. Kansas City in London, 9:30 a.m., FOX

The Detroit Lions have the London experience down from last year, when they spent almost a full week in England and beat the Falcons. That experience -- plus Detroit’s knowledge of a potentially shoddy turf -- makes the difference here on a last-minute field goal. Lions 24, Chiefs 21. Record 4-4

Week 9: Idle

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15 at Green Bay, 1 p.m., FOX

The Lions haven’t won in Green Bay when they were bad. They haven’t won in Green Bay when they were good. Even off a bye week, they won’t win in Lambeau. Not with this team, provided Aaron Rodgers is healthy. Packers 31, Lions 20. Record 4-5.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22 vs. Oakland, 1 p.m. CBS

The Detroit Lions finally find some defensive rhythm after being shredded by Rodgers. The Lions fluster Derek Carr into a safety and a pick-six since the Raiders still don’t have the talent to compete with most of the mid-level-to-top teams in the league. Lions 26, Raiders 13. Record 5-5.

Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 26 vs. Philadelphia, 12:30 p.m., FOX

Facing Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia uptempo offense on a short week is not ideal for Detroit. But the Eagles are one of the biggest unknown teams right now because of all the personnel changes. Detroit has won its past two Thanksgiving games. Make it a third. Lions 31, Eagles 27. Record: 6-5

Week 13: Thursday, Dec. 3 vs. Green Bay, 8:25 p.m. CBS/NFLN

Much like Detroit has lost in Green Bay, the Packers have struggled of late in Detroit. Ford Field is particularly loud during night games and with the season close to being on the line, the crowd makes the difference with a rare, late Rodgers miscue. Lions 21, Packers 17. Record: 7-5.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13 at St. Louis, 1 p.m., FOX

Nick Fairley may or may not play in this game -- injury history leaves it as a question -- but he understands Teryl Austin’s defense and can give the Rams’ offense some pointers. One would be to pick on the nickel back. Of course, if the Rams end up on the move to Los Angeles, this could easily be a Detroit win. Rams 23, Lions 20. Record: 7-6.

Week 15: Monday, Dec. 21 at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m., ESPN

The Saints struggled last season but revamped their entire team. As long as New Orleans still has Drew Brees, it is formidable. If this game was played at the beginning of the season, the Lions would be in good shape. At the end, the Saints will have much more chemistry and like the Rams game the week before, is a toss-up the Lions lose in an offensive explosion. Saints 41, Lions 38. Record: 7-7.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27 vs. San Francisco, 1 p.m., FOX

This is a good opponent for the Lions to see here. While defending Colin Kaepernick will be difficult and seeing Reggie Bush again could be interesting, but Detroit will be playing for a possible playoff berth. The 49ers will be playing for 2016. Lions 31, 49ers 17. Record: 8-7.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 at Chicago, 1 p.m., FOX

The Lions won in December there last year, but this is still a team that doesn’t fare particularly well in December in the cold to extinguish all playoff hopes. If either team is in the playoff hunt, this could be flexed. Bears 21, Detroit 14. Record 8-8