Category: Projections

Game-by-game predictions for the 2023 Detroit Lions schedule

Here’s an early prediction, going game by game through the 2023 Lions schedule and picking wins and losses.

The 2023 Detroit Lions are offseason favorites to win the NFC North division. Coming off a strong 8-2 finish that vaulted Detroit into second place a year ago, the returning core and augmented talent via free agency and the draft is expected to compete for a playoff berth. Maybe even a postseason home game…or two!

For that to happen, the Lions have to take care of business. The recently released season schedule is an interesting one, with some peculiarities that could slow down the franchise’s momentum. Can they prevail and get back into the postseason for the first time since 2016?

Here’s an early prediction, going game by game through the 2023 Lions schedule and picking wins and losses. It’s an early guess at the outcomes for Dan Campbell’s team this coming season.

Full disclosure: In last year’s edition of this “schedule game,” I projected the Lions to finish 7-10. Here’s hoping I lowballed them again…

Detroit Lions 2023 NFL schedule: 4 biggest matchups

Lions Wire’s Russell Brown breaks down the four most biggest games on Detroit’s 2023 schedule

One of the biggest days of the NFL offseason is when we reach the day when all 32 teams release their schedules. It’s a day that reminds us that football is on the horizon, but we all know that we’ve got to get through the summer months before we indulge in football on a weekly basis.

According to the NFL, the Lions opponent’s win percentage is at .495, and their strength of schedule is ranked 19th in the NFL. That has already generated plenty of buzz surrounding the Lions’ chances of winning the division and making a serious push in the playoffs.

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Obviously, we’ll see what happens. For now, let’s take a look at the four biggest matchups on the Detroit Lions schedule for 2023!

Watch: Breaking down the Lions schedule and picking wins and losses

The Detroit Lions Podcast break down the Lions schedule for 2023 and predicts wins and losses in each game

The Detroit Lions slate of games was released on Thursday night. That means it’s time for the “schedule game”!

The Detroit Lions Podcast broke down all the games on the team’s schedule, including the rise into four prime-time games and several kickoffs outside the typical 1 p.m. window each Sunday.

Then comes the real fun: picking wins and losses in each game. There is some disagreement on quite a few of the outcomes, but both paths lead to the postseason for Detroit.

Lions defensive depth chart projection after the 2023 NFL Draft

Lions defensive depth chart projection after the 2023 NFL Draft and Detroit’s new additions

With the 2023 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the Detroit Lions have a much clearer picture of what they could do this year. Despite the interesting choices, the Lions got better, not worst. From the choices made on offense to defense, the Lions could surprise more teams than expected.

We all know that things can change within the structure of a roster due to injuries, suspensions, poor plays and more. However, this defensive group boasts a lot more talent than in years past, and most importantly, there’s a ton of versatility. Let’s jump into how the defensive depth chart could look after the 2023 NFL Draft!

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Lions offensive depth chart projection after the 2023 NFL Draft

Lions offensive depth chart projection after the 2023 NFL Draft and Detroit’s new additions

With the 2023 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the Detroit Lions have a much clearer picture of what they could do this year. Despite the interesting choices, the Lions got better, not worst. From the choices made on offense to defense, the Lions could surprise more teams than expected.

Much of the team’s success will rest on this offensive group and the shoulders of quarterback Jared Goff. If Goff plays up to par, there’s no reason to believe that the Lions won’t make a push to the playoffs. Let’s jump into each position to predict what the Lions offense could look like during the 2023 season!

Watch: Final Lions mock draft scenarios and draft preview

Breaking down the different mock draft scenarios for the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is mere hours away. What will happen when the Detroit Lions go on the clock with picks No. 6 and 18 in Thursday night’s first round?

In the latest video in conjunction with the Detroit Lions Podcast, I did my best to break down the various options for Lions GM Brad Holmes with each of the picks. Because of the uncertainty around the picks before the Lions will select, it’s very difficult to know how it plays out.

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Therefore, I presented a few different scenarios that I think could be the way the first round flows for the Lions. It’s all done with the firsthand experience from covering Lions special assistant John Dorsey’s drafts in Cleveland that we’re just not going to know until it actually happens.

This video leans more on how I think the Lions see the draft. For my own personal choices, check out the “What I Would Do” mock draft as a sort of companion piece.

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Early 2023 ESPN rankings do not favor the Browns

Will the Browns be able to exceed expectations in 2023?

With the Super Bowl over and the new league year coming next month ESPN has released their early 2023 NFL power rankings. It’s no surprise after how 2022 ended that most wouldn’t be high on the Cleveland Browns as they ranked 19 out of 32 teams. All of the concern is about Deshaun Watson returning to his elite caliber of play with the Texans.

“Watson ranked just 27th in QBR (38.3) as Cleveland’s offensive efficiency cratered in his return. Considering Watson didn’t play during the 2021 season, either, rust was expected. He now has the offseason to develop chemistry in and with Cleveland’s offense.” — Jake Trotter

Regardless of free agency and the draft if Watson doesn’t recapture that level of play 2023 will not be a successful season.

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Staff Picks: Can the Browns improve to 3-1 against the Falcons?

The Browns Wire staff makes their picks as the #Browns are looking to improve to 3-1 against the Falcons.

Hurricane Ian will not stop the Cleveland Browns from traveling south as they are set to take on the Atlanta Falcons. The Browns are looking to get to 3-1 on the season, while the Falcons are looking to get to .500 after their win over the Seattle Seahawks a week ago.

The Browns are battling a tremendous amount of injuries, the Falcons might not have their running back Cordarrelle Patterson, and neither defense is particularly spry. Much could change by gametime, however.

Looking into this matchup, the Browns Wire staff gives their analysis and predictions as Cleveland and Atlanta get set for war.

Week 1 picks: Who the experts like in the Lions vs. Eagles matchup

Tracking the expert picks in the Week 1 matchup between the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles

The Detroit Lions are one of several home underdogs in NFL Week 1. It seems few of the professional game prognosticators see the Lions pulling off the upset over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Lions keys to victory in Week 1 matchup vs. the Philadelphia Eagles

Predicting the Detroit Lions player stats for 2022

Projecting the stats for Detroit Lions players in the 2022 regular season

The 2022 regular season kicks off in a few short days for the Detroit Lions. The roster is set, the plays installed and the gameplans ready to roll for Dan Campbell’s second season in Detroit.

Projecting the stats for the key players in Detroit is a difficult challenge. There are new schemes on both offense and defense, with each unit efforting to be more aggressive and proactive than they were a season ago. Many of the key players return, with some high-end newcomers also impacting the depth chart and stat projections.

All of these statistical projections are calculated on the assumption of each player participating in all 17 games. Injuries unfortunately will derail that, but predicting injuries is even harder than forecasting stats.

Here are the fearless predictions for Lions player stats in 2022.