1.

With the NFL regular season now over, here's a look at the Detroit Lions opponents for 2011 [as always, subject to change by the NFL].

Home games:  Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Oakland, Denver and San Francisco.

Away games:  Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, Atlanta, Carolina, Kansas City, San Diego and Dallas.

[Playoff teams for 2010 are in bold type]

Initial thoughts on the schedule:  9 of the 16 games will be against teams with winning records.  7 of the games are against teams that are in this year's playoffs.  Among the quarterbacks that the Lions will face in 2011: Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler, Drew Brees, Josh Freeman, Matt Ryan, Phillip Rivers and Tony Romo. 

Three of the games will be against teams that will have new coaches in 2011 [San Francisco, Denver and Carolina].

2.

Overheard in the Lions locker room, following the 20 -13 win over the Minnesota Vikings........

Nate Burleson, who had 6 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown:  "Shaun [Hill] was doing a great job of reading the defenses, and putting the ball where it needed to be.  Today was a good team win for us.  You know, with Calvin [Johnson] down [with an injured ankle].......not just me, but the entire receiving corps stepped up in his absence.  It's a good sign that we can still be productive without our big gun".

Ndamukong Suh, who had 6 tackles and a sack:  "The streak........it feels good.  We just stuck to our plan [throughout the season].  Although we weren't able to fight for the playoffs, we wanted to go out there, execute and take care of business the last quarter of our season.  We did that, and I'm very proud to be a part of this team, and I'm looking forward to the future".