Tag: final score predictions

Lions vs Bears: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions vs Bears: Last-minute matchup thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 16 game in Chicago

It’s been a few weeks since the Detroit Lions played at 1 p.m. ET on a Sunday. The Lions have played today’s Week 16 opponent, the Chicago Bears, more recently than they last played at the traditional early Sunday kickoff.

As such, this Sunday’s morning pot of coffee is rushed a bit. It’s time to get buzzing about the Lions once again. The 12-2 Lions head west on I-94 to Chicago to play the 4-10 Bears, losers of eight games in a row. It’s time for the first-place Lions to shine through the wintry gloaming and bring smiles back to Detroit after a tough loss to the Bills that added more names to the already-naughty list of injured players.

Here’s what’s on mind in the hours before the game at Soldier Field…

Why I think the Lions will win

Aside from the fact that the Bears have exactly one offensive player (WR D.J. Moore) who would start this week for Detroit, or the additional fact that Bears defensive front has fallen off a cliff since the start of their nine-game losing streak, there are just so many reasons to believe the Lions cruise in Chicago.

The Xs and Os all favor the Lions, every single one of them. That’s still true even with the recent injury ravages to Detroit’s defense. But it’s the Lions offense versus the Bears defense that leaves me bullish on the trip to Chicago.

In the past, which includes the tightly played Thanksgiving matchup, the Bears defense presented quite a few problems for Detroit’s offense. Between their scheme crowding the middle of the field and Chicago’s ability to reliably generate pressure without blitzing, there might not be a better defensive design to slow down QB Jared Goff and OC Ben Johnson’s offense.

That Chicago defense might still have much of the same personnel, but they appear to have been declawed. The Bears have fallen from grace. Over the last six games–which includes the Week 13 meeting–Chicago has managed just nine sacks and a pressure percentage that ranks 28th over that time, per SIS. The stingy early-season defense has allowed 28 per game in the last month and is trending in the wrong way. The run defense, never a strength, continues to surrender almost five yards per carry on first down and 4.7 (27th in the league) overall.

For all of the Lions injuries, the offense is still in pretty good shape. Losing David Montgomery certainly hurts, but the rest of the skill position players are coming off a game where they hung 42 points on a very good Bills team.

The vaunted Lions offensive line hasn’t played to its lofty standards recently. There are two ways to look at that. Either Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow and friends just aren’t that good anymore, or they’re due for a rebound game where they assert their dominance. I’ll take the latter in this one, with some legitimate disappointed surprise if it doesn’t play out that way.

Detroit’s defense continues the search for healthy bodies, and the latest losses of Alim McNeill and (especially) Carlton Davis are quite problematic. The Lions plan a ton of man coverage in part because Davis, as the team’s top cover man, is very good at it. Caleb Williams, the Bears’ rookie QB, is at his worst when facing man coverage. Their receivers don’t separate easily from man, and Williams’ hesitancy to let it fly exacerbates their issues. Even without Davis and McNeill joining the injured list, I don’t see Williams suddenly becoming much better at any of those things–especially not with a banged-up OL and an interim coach who doesn’t appear to have resonated with the team as they hoped.

What concerns me about the Bears

Last week, ahead of the Lions-Bills game in this spot, I gave a two-word answer here. Josh Allen.

This week, I’ll give another two-word answer for what worries me about the Bears.

Not much.

Okay, that’s a little too dismissive of another professional team, one that the Lions edged by just three points last month. They still have a very good tight end in Cole Kmet, who works very well in tandem with D.J. Moore–a guy who has proven he’s one of the best all-around receivers in the league even if the stats don’t necessarily say so.

Keenan Allen isn’t close to what he used to be in his Chargers prime, but he remains a viable threat in the red zone and on the sidelines. Rookie Rome Odunze is, much like his fellow top-10 rookie at QB, sporadically great but often not quite there yet. Old friend D’Andre Swift is a legit receiving threat out of the backfield, something that Josh Allen and the Bills destroyed Detroit’s defense with a week ago.

Williams, of course, is the key to it all. While stylistically quite different, his rookie campaign has a few similarities to one Matthew Stafford in Detroit back in 2009. Remember those days, Lions fans? We loved the flashes of brilliance and the glimpses of the emerging standout, but there were also those weird empty drives that strung together a little too easily in just about every game. The sharpness of the eyes and the relative inexperience against the speedier schemes and defenses of the NFL gave young Stafford a lot of trouble. They do against Williams, too. But if, by chance, Williams can keep his composure for four quarters, the Bears offense can definitely do some damage against Detroit the way Stafford could take over a game or two as a rookie.

Chicago’s defense still fares well at creating takeaways. They do still gum up the 5-to-10-yard passes over the middle as well as anyone, and that’s still where Jared Goff is at his best in targeting. The Bears are still capable on third down defense (10th) and red zone TD percentage (3rd). They should have some semblance of confidence after playing very effective defense in the second half on Thanksgiving, too. If ever there was a team with a death-gasp stunner of a game, this is the time and place for it for Chicago.

Final score prediction

I’m going to hedge this one, because there are two distinct ways I see the Lions and Bears playing out.

A) The Lions come out flat in the cold, struggle with a defensive miscommunication or two, and fall behind at the half. Then Dan Campbell roars life into his team at halftime and Detroit prevails 27-22.

B) Detroit replicates the first half success from the Thanksgiving meeting, but this time the Bears are more resigned to their losing fate and the Lions cruise 33-12.

Either way, the Lions should improve to 13-2.

Lions vs Packers: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for Week 14

Lions vs Packers: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 14 matchup on Thursday night

For the second week in a row, we are treated to Detroit Lions football on a Thursday instead of the traditional Sunday kickoff. As was the case in Week 13’s Thanksgiving matinee against the Chicago Bears, this Thursday pits the LIons in a home game against a division rival.

This time, it’s Thursday night football against the Green Bay Packers. Yeah, those guys from the other side of Lake Michigan. The place where the Lions roared to a 24-14 victory five weeks ago that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicates.

As I sip the morning coffee amidst a winter storm warning that has closed schools and businesses everywhere around me, the chill of the specter of tonight’s game is unavoidable. This is a big one for both teams.

Why I think the Lions will win

The running game with Sonic and Knuckles, better known as Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, continues to play exceedingly well. The Lions offense can control the game script because they can run so effectively in any situation. 1st-and-10, Montgomery gets eight. 3rd-and-3, Gibbs blasts off for 17.

The ability to consistently generate big plays from the run game is huge for Detroit. It’s also huge in how it impacts the opposing defense. The Packers linebackers and safeties have to remain alert for the potential that Gibbs will be racing to the outside on a simple zone run, or Montgomery will run through the initial tackle and be charging at them at full speed, often with Penei Sewell and Kevin Zeitler still leading the way well past the line of scrimmage. That’s in addition to their potential coverage responsibilities against Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and even Tim Patrick, who has become more involved in the passing offense since the first meeting.

Detroit might have to focus on outscoring the Packers in this one, thanks to all the defensive attrition. Jared Goff and his merry band of weaponry can do it, and do it unapologetically. That’s a very real edge for the Lions; they’ve done it before and can do it again. The Lions know it, but the Packers do too, and that puts considerable pressure on a young, mistake-prone Green Bay team to try and match. That’s how Detroit so comfortably handled the Week 9 game in Green Bay.

Special teams certainly deserves a nod for the Lions. Punter Jack Fox is having an incredible season. In a golden age of NFL punting, Fox remains the gold standard for consistency in flipping the field. The coverage units have remained strong despite major injury-induced personnel changes, too. Coordinator Dave Fipp has his units playing as well as anyone.

Defensively, there is a “revenge game” angle for a couple of key Lions–perhaps the two most key Detroit defenders. Za’Darius Smith has taken over as the team’s top pass rusher since joining the team. Before he joined the Lions, Smith openly talked about how badly he wanted to come to Detroit specifically so he could play against the Packers, his old team. Smith’s tenure with Green Bay did not end well, and he’s ready to take out some frustration.

Safety Brian Branch had to watch most of the Week 9 win from the locker room after being ejected for a questionable hit. Branch’s ability to make big plays and be a versatile wild card at the back end is integral to everything coordinator Aaron Glenn wants to do defensively, and now Branch has an edge of redemption to him. That should play very well for Detroit.

What worries me about the Packers

Green Bay is playing some very strong football over the past three weeks, winning all three games since losing to Detroit. Their Week 10 bye revived and refocused their offense, notably in ball security. Jordan Love has been playing smarter, cleaner ball; Green Bay has just one giveaway in those three games.

Some of that stems from Josh Jacobs running the ball extremely well. He’s the type of RB that has given the Lions defense some trouble this year, and now the Detroit defense must try to slow him down without premium run defender DJ Reader and three of its top four LBs behind him. Reader’s loss is a big one, because the nose tackle is exceptional at keeping blockers away from Jack Campbell and all the replacements surrounding him at linebacker. Now it’s up to Brodric Martin, who has played exactly two snaps all year. All of the line depth and all of the linebacking depth is completely new from the first meeting.

I give Glenn a ton of credit for keeping the Lions defense formidable throughout all the injuries. But there’s only so much that all those bandages can stretch before they snap, and I worry that happens against a multitalented Packers offense that has been playing largely mistake-free ball lately. Love has found a bit of a rhythm as the Packers lean on Jacobs and a better-than-advertised run blocking OL, and he’s got dangerous weapons in Christian Watson, Tucker Kraft, Dontayvion Wicks and Jayden Reed. Those guys might not be stars, and all have some inconsistency to their games, but they’re playing very well collectively of late.

The Lions patchwork defense has benefitted from playing erratic QBs in Anthony Richardson and Caleb Williams, each of which plays behind an offensive line that isn’t nearly as good as what it will see against Green Bay. Based on the last few weeks, it’s unfair to lump Love in with those quarterbacks, too.

That’s got the potential for Green Bay to play with a lead, and that’s a bit of an issue for the Lions offense. Not having left tackle Taylor Decker could be very bad for Detroit. Decker wasn’t terribly missed against Chicago and their straightforward pass rush attack. Green Bay does a lot more blitzing and wide-angle rushing than the Bears, and that’s not a strong suit for Decker’s replacement, Dan Skipper. As much as we all love Skipper, he’s also not nearly the run-blocking presence that Decker is. With left guard Graham Glasgow also not playing well of late, I worry that a more one-handed offense will struggle against a swift, aggressive Packers defense.

Final score prediction

The Lions are rightly favored to win, but I can’t escape the feeling that the myriad injuries finally catch up to the team tonight. Not having Decker and Reader is huge; I would pick the Lions if either were playing in Week 14. But they’re not, and Green Bay is playing focused enough that I don’t think the Packers give back that advantage.

Packers 29, Lions 21

Lions vs Bears: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions vs Bears: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day game in Ford Field

Happy Thanksgiving! It’s always a special holiday for Detroit Lions fans, but this year is even more grand.

As I drink the morning coffee on this Lions gameday, the Lions are owners of the best record in the NFL. Okay, technically the Kansas City Chiefs are also 10-1, but the Lions are the current holders of the No. 32 spot on the NFL’s waiver wire.

Dan Campbell’s Lions are the best team in the league entering Week 13. They’ve won nine games in a row thanks to a balance between the No. 1 scoring offense and No. 2 scoring defense in the NFL.

It’s been a long time since the Lions won on Thanksgiving. The Chicago Bears, today’s opponent, are responsible for ruining the day for the Lions in three of those seven consecutive losses. Will the Lions exact some revenge on the day where Detroit is the rare focal point of the NFL?

Why I think the Lions will win

Defense.

Okay, I probably need to say more than one word. But everything good about this matchup rests upon Aaron Glenn’s banged-up but still incredibly effective defensive unit.

The Lions defense is playing some great team football lately. The cohesion and communication between the line, the backers and the secondary has been outstanding, no matter the personnel on hand. Glenn has found the sweet spot for his impact players, namely DT Alim McNeill and safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.

All three are poised for big games in this one, most notably McNeill. He’s been on a tear as a pass rusher on the interior, and in this matchup, McNeill draws a subpar G-C-G package from the Bears. They’re not bad players individually, but the combination of Teven Jenkins, Matt Pryor and Coleman Shelton plays with little chemistry or coordination.

The biggest matchup advantage for the Lions in this game comes from their big guys on defense, and that also includes DJ Reader, Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike and Za’Darius Smith. Power wins against the Bears. Talented power dominates.

The object of Detroit’s aggression is rookie QB Caleb Williams. The latest in a long line of Bears quarterback solutions has, at times, shown why he was the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft in Detroit. Williams has also proven his vociferous critics correct (so far, anyway) with erratic decisions, an inability to consistently win in the structure of the offense, and a maddening propensity to hold the ball way too long.

Getting Terrion Arnold back will help the Lions man coverage on the outside, though not having Carlton Davis will hurt. The opportunism of Joseph and Branch at safety, playing behind a pass rush that should be effective and a run defense that should stymie old friend D’Andre Swift, makes it tough to see the Bears scoring much without some help from more injuries, officiating or just a collective off day from too many Lions. Branch got his out of his system last week, and I expect a big rebound game here.

Moreover, Chicago is just not a well-coached offense. The Windy City airwaves and blogosphere are crowded with calls for coach Matt Eberflus’ head. They’ve already fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, but the heat is still on thanks to a scheme that doesn’t necessarily play to the strength of their top talents. Clock management, playcalling decisions, frigid starts to games–they’re all still major issues for the Bears.

On the opposite side of the ball, the Lions should be able to run early and often against the Bears defensive front. Chicago has some very legit talent upfront, but their spacing and attack-at-all-times scheme leaves them vulnerable against disciplined offenses that don’t get discouraged from running the ball on 2nd-and-10 or 3rd-and-7. The Lions run offense with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, running behind a well-heeled line, has no such problems.

Then there’s the coaching. Eberflus is on the hot seat. Campbell should be getting more mention than he is for NFL Coach of the Year, and all three coordinators–Glenn, OC Ben Johnson and special teams coach Dave Fipp–are at or near the top of their respective positions. The Lions coaching staff is a well-oiled machine. The Bears staff is leaking oil above some smoldering kindling.

Don’t think for a second the Lions coaches don’t know how long it’s been since this team won on this day. Chicago might be an inferior opponent statistically and record-wise, but ending the Thanksgiving losing will mean something to them. So will beating a division opponent.

What concerns me about the Bears

Much of what concerns me about the Bears relates more to the Lions and the rampant injuries across the roster. If Detroit was at full strength, I would expect them to win by 20-plus points.

Alas, this is not even close to the full complement of talent for Detroit. Left tackle Taylor Decker is out, as is starting outside CB Carlton Davis. Losing Decker is huge because the fundamental tenet of Chicago’s defense is being able to pressure the quarterback by only rushing four. The dropoff from Decker to the next OT in line–be it Dan Skipper or practice squad elevation Jamarco Jones–is significant.

Moving Penei Sewell from the right side to the left shores up the left side, but the Bears defense typically aligns their best pass rusher, Montez Sweat, against the right tackle. Much of the Lion’s run blocking is based around Sewell’s seek-and-destroy mobility and power from the right side, too. Either way, Decker is a major loss against the Bears.

Davis’ absence on defense pushes Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey and Emmanuel Moseley two spots higher up the depth chart. Remember, just last Thursday Detroit had rookie Ennis Rakestraw as CB4. Now he and Davis are out. The Lions depth CBs are tasked with controlling a very good 1-2-3 WR combination in DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen. The safeties and LBs can’t help too much because TE Cole Kmet is a very good receiver, as is Swift at RB out of the backfield. Caleb Williams’ running and improvisational ability demands their attention, too. Chicago’s offense might be erratic and poorly coached, but they do have the ability to make some plays.

Back to the Bears defense. Goff has struggled against them; 43-for-70, 393 yards, 3 TDs and 5 INTs in two games last year. Much like the Buccaneers in Detroit’s only loss this year, the Bears are really good at getting quick pressure by rushing just four, and simultaneously crowding the middle of the field. That’s where Goff attacks at his best and the Bears are really good at taking it away. They too have opportunistic defenders; eight different Bears have INTs and 10 have forced fumbles on the season. Factor in Graham Glasgow’s recent struggles at left guard and Decker’s absence to his outside flank, and the Bears D could be a real problem for Goff and the Lions. Especially if Ben Johnson gets impatient and too intricate with his play calls and designs–as happened against the Buccaneers back in Week 2…

Final score prediction

I think the Lions have enough talent to survive what figures to be a spirited challenge from a Bears team that just might have a death-gasp game in them. Lions win, 20-17, on a Jake Bates field goal on Detroit’s final drive.

 

Lions vs. Colts: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions vs. Colts: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 12 matchup in Indianapolis

One of the best things about the Detroit Lions being 9-1 and in first place is how well it makes the Sunday morning coffee taste. There’s just something a little smoother and richer about first-place coffee. I can get used to this.

Today’s is also nice because it’s the last of the Sunday morning brews before a 1 p.m. kickoff for a month. The Lions are playing at 1 ET in Indianapolis today, but then it’s Thanksgiving with the Bears coming to Ford Field, then a Thursday night game with Green Bay and then a late-afternoon Sunday kickoff against the Bills.

The Lions are favored by a touchdown on the road against the Colts, but this is a dangerous one. The recent defensive injuries that continue to decimate the Lions could be a bigger problem against the Colts than other recent foes.

Here’s what I’m thinking about today’s game a few hours ahead of kickoff.

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Why I think the Lions will win

This is a game where Detroit’s investment in the offensive line and running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery should really pay off. The Lions have one of the best rushing attacks in the league, and it’s consistent. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson doesn’t lose patience in the run, either. Not that he should need to in this one…

And that’s because the Colts do lose patience on run defense. They are a team that can get some nice stops but then give up a series of big runs. Only the Texans have allowed more runs of 10-plus yards over the last four weeks than the Colts, and it was the Lions who helped push the Texans to the bottom by continuing to run the ball even when trailing. Sonic and Knuckles can do that again, if needed.

The Colts also don’t defend the pass very effectively, especially against accurate QBs. Jared Goff should be able to at least equal his 73 percent completion percentage against a Colts secondary that will gamble on the ball in lieu of tighter pre-throw coverage. With how well Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta and Tim Patrick get open and present as targets, the Lions should be able to move the ball quite effectively.

Converting those yards into points hasn’t been much of a problem of late. Detroit has been great in the red zone nearly all season, ranking fourth in TD percentage. The one misstep was the Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers, when the Lions went 1-of-7 in the red zone. The Colts defense is middle-of-the-pack in red zone defense. On the flip side, Detroit’s defense is third in the red zone. The Lions are great when it really counts, and the Colts can’t match that. The ability of Gibbs and Jameson Williams to score from well outside the red zone sure helps, too.

This matchup does present something of a trap game for Detroit. Head coach Dan Campbell and his staff have done a great job of not falling into those traps. One of the hallmarks of the resurgent Lions under Campbell the last two years is that they make the opponent come up to their level of play, instead of getting lulled into falling to the inferior opponent’s level. That’s a great mindset to avoid the upset, even on the road against a team like the Colts that does present some challenges.

What concerns me about the Colts

The Colts are a difficult foe with Anthony Richardson at the helm because convention goes out the window. Richardson aggressively seeks big plays and has the athletic ability to pull them off. He’s got decent weapons, too. Alec Pierce leads the league in yards per reception at over 22 per catch, while Josh Downs and Michael Pittman are both sure-handed and capable after the catch. It’s more of a concern this week because the Lions will be without Terrion Arnold, while Carlton Davis is playing with a broken thumb. It’s not a great week for the Lions to be shorthanded at cornerback.

Indy’s offense with Richardson goes for the big plays. Moreover, they don’t really get dissuaded if they aren’t hitting them early. They put a lot of pressure on the opposing defense to play a lot more of the field than is required most weeks. Even without starting tackle Bernhard Raimann, the Colts should still be able to run the ball with Jonathan Taylor and Trey Sermon, plus Richardson’s freaky size and speed in keeping the ball. This is not a great week for the Lions to be shorthanded at linebacker with Alex Anzalone and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, the team’s two fastest LBs, out with injuries.

On defense, the Colts are very good at creating takeaways. It’s a focus of coordinator Gus Bradley and they’re relentless about it. They’re also a defense without any one dominant pass rusher to focus upon. Kwity Paye and rookie Laiatu Latu are their best rushers, but they have a lot of guys who can win pass rush reps often. Grover Stewart is the best interior lineman you never hear about, but he’s not alone out there. Don’t be fooled by the lack of big pressure or sack numbers; they can impact Goff and score wins against Detroit’s very good offensive line.

Going back up to the Lions forcing the opponent to come to their level–that’s something the Colts do fairly well. Every Indianapolis game is a close one. They haven’t figured out how to win them all that well, but the Colts have only had one game decided by more than one score. They know how to consistently hang around with better teams. That makes them dangerous, especially for a Lions defense that will be missing half its Week 1 starters.

Final score prediction

I have a feeling the Colts are going to make this a tighter game than a lot of fans expect. They’re going to hit on some big plays that the Lions defense doesn’t typically give up. I also have a feeling the Lions offense will be able to hit one or two more of those big plays than the Colts can. Should be a fun game but perhaps a nerve-racking one.

Lions 33, Colts 27

Lions vs. Jaguars: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions vs. Jaguars: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 11 matchup in Ford Field

This Sunday’s morning coffee brings back reflections of the last time the Lions played the Jaguars. That meeting in December of 2022 was the first time Dan Campbell’s Lions played like a great team.

Those Lions blew out a Jaguars team that would go on to win a playoff game. Detroit has never looked back. Adding significantly more talent on both sides of the ball and growing the impressive young core has made the Lions a viable Super Bowl contender. At 8-1, the Lions welcome back a Jaguars team that is a rotting shell of the sprightly crew that was on the business end of the 40-14 beatdown two years ago.

Why I think the Lions will win

Barring another fluky five-turnover performance from Jared Goff, the Lions passing offense should be able to hit big plays against the Jaguars. Goff’s five INT anomaly in Week 10 matches the entire season volume from Jacksonville’s defense in 10 games; they’re not a team that creates takeaways or stresses the ball well in either run or pass defense. And they don’t have anyone who can effectively mark Amon-Ra St. Brown working the intermediate part of the field.

If the Jaguars shift to compensate, then they don’t have any answer for Jameson Williams over the top. Or Jahmyr Gibbs out of the backfield on a quick swing pass. Or Brock Wright leaking out the back side on a delayed TE release. Or David Montgomery on a sprint draw play behind Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler, with Penei Sewell having already cleared out the linebacker.

In short, the Lions offensive diversity presents overwhelming issues for a Jaguars defense that got torched for 35 points by the Bears (!!) not too long ago.

Flip the side to Jacksonville’s offense. Trevor Lawrence might not be worth his astronomical salary, but Lawrence is at least a quality starting QB who has some real ability. He’s out, replaced by panicky, immobile, slow-to-throw Mac Jones. That’s a very poor fit with a replacement left tackle in Walker Little trying to fill in for injured starter Cam Robinson. Just for good measure, top RB Tank Bigsby is also out with an injury.

Even if they all played, the Lions defense still matches up well with a slow-paced offense that tries a little too hard to generate big plays. They might hit a couple, even with Jones at the helm. But asking this Jacksonville offense to keep pace with Detroit on the scoreboard is not a conducive path to victory for the visitors.

The Lions do the little things so much better, so much more frequently than the Jaguars. Things like third down offense and defense, red zone offense and defense, ball security, first-down rushing offense and defense. The 14-point spread in the odds reflects the relative confidence in the ability of each team to play to its capacity.

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What worries me about the Jaguars

I’ll be honest on this one. Not much concerns me about the Jaguars, not if the Lions take them seriously and play even a B-minus game or higher. There just isn’t enough breadth of impact talent on the Jaguars roster to compete with the Lions — if Detroit is focused and plays hard for four quarters.

That’s not to say the Jaguars are bereft of talent or ability. Their defensive front can cause some problems. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker are an athletic pass-rush combo that can impact the quarterback. Walker (7 sacks) and Hines-Allen (5.5) can each defeat good blocking and take advantage of missteps by the offensive line. Roy Robertson-Harris is the type of nationally underappreciated interior presence who can make a name for himself, too. He’s better than most Lions fans will expect him to be.

The Jaguars linebackers might be the fastest combo in the league. It doesn’t mean they tackle all that well (notably Ventrell Miller) or cover well (notably Devin Lloyd), but they do create some issues with their overall speed and ability to be where the offense doesn’t want them to be. With Sam LaPorta out, it makes life for the Jacksonville LBs a lot easier.

I’d be remiss to not mention Jaguars rookie wideout Brian Thomas. He’s been consistently outstanding, a legit No. 1 target and playmaker already. His size, speed and confident panache make Thomas a major potential problem. The Jaguars have a pair of quality pass-catching tight ends in Brenston Strange and Evan Engram, too. If they get anything from the likes of Christian Kirk or Gabe Davis, even Mac Jones can make some hay against a very good Lions secondary.

Final score prediction

The Lions have the better unit in every phase of this matchup against the Jaguars. As long as Detroit doesn’t get cute playing with its food, this shouldn’t be a stressful Sunday for Lions fans.

Lions 36, Jaguars 13

 

Lions vs. Packers: Last minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions vs. Packers: Last minute thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 9 battle in the NFC North

The phrase “football weather” conjures up visions of crisp autumn afternoons, with a chill in the air and maybe a little rain, perhaps a good end of the field from the wind. For the first time this season, the Detroit Lions will experience football weather.

The seasonable conditions in Green Bay make forecasting the late-afternoon game between the Lions and Packers more difficult. Between the unpredictability of Mother Nature and the end of daylight savings time, it’s something of a discombobulated Sunday morning in figuring out who will win this game.

The 6-1 Lions can win–and win big. The 6-2 Packers can also win–and win emphatically. Detroit is rightly favored, but how will it play out?

Why I think the Lions will win

The high-powered Lions offense can outscore anyone, anywhere. And I think the catalyst behind why Ben Johnson’s offense is so dominant has shifted as the 2024 season has progressed. It used to be the offensive line, but now the primary impetus is the play of Jared Goff at quarterback.

Goff is playing as well as any player in the league, regardless of position. The fact he’s doing it at the most important position is a huge reason why the Lions are approaching offensive juggernaut status. The precision. The field vision. The preternatural calmness in the face of defensive chaos. Goff is very deserving of the NFL MVP talk.

That offensive line is still great, too. The left side has been a little shaky lately, but overall, Hank Fraley’s veteran line is as good as it gets. In Green Bay, they’ll need to prove it in the run game. Because that’s the clearest path to victory for Detroit this afternoon.

Run the bleeping ball. Ram it down Green Bay’s throat with the lethal combination of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Have Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow and friends push the Packers line around, using the unsure footing in the soggy tundra to their advantage. I’m confident Ben Johnson will deploy that as a primary game plan.

It’s helped by the Packers scheme, which doesn’t blitz often. On the surface, that would seem more pertinent to the pass protection, but the run game can benefit from knowing that the Packers rely heavily on their linebackers and safeties to make reactive plays, not proactively attacking. That plays directly into the hands of the Lions offense — especially in the inclement footing and weather.

That also plays into the play-action that Goff and his receivers do so well. Green Bay’s linebackers are pretty solid, and quite fast to close. But if they get sucked up by the run fake, Sam LaPorta can get that much more open in the seam and on out routes, and Amon-Ra St. Brown gets a little more room to operate over the middle and quickly switch from receiver to runner. Nobody does it better.

The iffy status of top Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander should help offset Detroit not having Jameson Williams, who is serving the second of his two-game suspension.

This is also the rare game where the Lions have at least a push at kicker. No disrespect to Jake Bates, but it’s been a process of the first-year Lions kicker earning trust. Bates is doing just that with a heretofore perfect start on field goals. He hasn’t kicked outside before, and that does bring some concern back. However, the Packers are on their second kicker in Brandon McManus. He’s also been perfect in his two games with Green Bay, so maybe the Lions don’t have an advantage, but in Bates we (mostly) trust. Nailing the game-winner in Minnesota with the game plan specifically playing to let Bates kick it did wonders for the young kicker, and also this fan’s faith in him.

What worries me about the Packers

If there is any team that can try to successfully outscore the Lions, it’s Green Bay. Their balanced, well-coordinated offense actually averages more yards per game (388) than Detroit’s, and the Packers are top 10 in both rushing and passing.

Jordan Love has thrown the ball very well, and he’s got a lot of weapons at his disposal. Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Tucker Kraft all have at least 20 targets, meaning Love isn’t shy about spreading the ball around to his best option–and all those guys are good options. Some are more consistent than others, but the Lions secondary will be challenged by the Packers’ diverse passing offense.

That makes getting to Love with the pass rush and forcing him into the mistakes he’s shown he will make an imperative for Aaron Glenn’s defense. They’ll need to do that with Levi Onwuzurike and Al-Quadin Muhammad as the EDGEs thanks to a plethora of injuries. Both are best in small doses, but the extreme lack of depth means they’ll be relied upon to play heavy minutes in unfamiliar field conditions.

They also have to worry about Josh Jacobs, a running back whose style is similar to what Detroit saw last week in Tony Pollard–who had an impressively productive day against the Lions’ stingy run defense. The Packers use Reed as a running weapon nicely, and Love can get outside the pocket and run a little (though his gimpy groin might hinder that).

The Packers defense gives up a lot of yards, but they’re very good at creating takeaways and capitalizing on mistakes. Green Bay leads the league in creating turnovers; 19 takeaways in eight games is no fluke. One of the reasons the Packers have a relatively low team tackling grade from PFF is that they attack the ball more than they try to end the play. Gibbs and especially Goff (4 fumbles in two games) need to be vigilant in protecting the ball from prying Packers punches.

Green Bay upgraded at defensive coordinator in dumping one-time Lions flop Joe Barry and replacing him with the more creative, more teaching-oriented Jeff Hafley. Ben Johnson hasn’t seen Hafley’s defense before, and that might lead to some feeling-out process and a slow start for Detroit’s offense. I don’t think the Lions can afford many empty possessions in this one.

Final score prediction

This one’s tough. I think the first team to 20 points wins, and these are two of the best first-quarter offenses in the league. I trust Jared Goff to make fewer mistakes than Jordan Love, especially if the Packers are pressing to score from behind. It’s up to the Lions dilapidated defense to force that scenario, and that’s a tough ask in Green Bay.

Lions 36, Packers 34

Lions vs. Titans: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions vs. Titans: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 8 matchup in Ford Field

It’s a wonderful football Sunday here in Michigan. The morning coffee cuts through the chilly air. It’s hoodie and hat weather, and I’m repping the Lions with each.

The Detroit Lions welcome the Titans from Tennessee to this beautiful fall day. Of course, playing in the dome in Ford Field sort of negates the autumnal charm of the Great Lakes. Then again, Dan Campbell’s 5-1 Lions aren’t looking to make the Titans trip enjoyable–nor should they.

Why I think the Lions will win

Tennessee enters the game with a 1-5 record, thanks in large part to a heretofore dreadful offense that is plagued by turnovers and awful quarterback play from Will Levis and (last week) Mason Rudolph. They’re dead last in passing yards per game despite having an impressive (on paper) receiving corps in Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Hopkins (now gone) and TE Chig Okonkwo, plus versatile RB Tony Pollard.

Quarterback play has been bad, but so has pass protection. Tennessee ranks 26th in sack percentage allowed and 27th in pass-blocking grades from PFF, with first-round rookie LT JC Latham really struggling early on. The new offense under rookie head coach Brian Callahan hasn’t clicked yet.

All that is to say — this is not an offense that can outscore Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions offense. Even without Jameson Williams, the Lions have more than enough firepower to win a shootout against Tennessee. And the Titans seem quite averse to trying to even try to get into a shootout with their offense.

Even with the banged-up Lions pass rush, this is not the kind of offense or team mindset that can effectively exploit the Detroit vulnerability. The Lions run defense remains very good, though they do remain somewhat susceptible to runners like Pollard who can cut back at full speed and read blocks well.

Back to that Lions offense. With Goff playing as well as any quarterback in the league right now, this should be a game where the Lions can score 30-plus points. Tennessee’s defense isn’t bad at all, but they also haven’t seen a precise, creative, balanced unit like the Lions yet. Goff’s unfailing willingness to take what the defense gives him and the diverse barrage of weapons at his disposal are capable of quickly frustrating the Titans defense.

What worries me about the Titans

Tennessee continues to sport an impressive defensive line, even with former coach Terrell Williams now in Detroit. Jeffery Simmons is as good as it gets on the interior. Massive rookie T’Vondre Sweat effectively and actively takes up a lot of space. Sweat is questionable for the game, but if he plays, the inside-out runs and delayed handoffs will not work well for Detroit’s offense. Their linebackers play well behind the duo, too–even without Ernest Jones. Any hesitation from the RBs will not end well for Gibbs or Montgomery.

Despite trading Hopkins, the Titans receivers still do have some real talent. Ridley is playing better than his stats would indicate, and Tyler Boyd is a tough matchup over the middle. Okonkwo and Pollard are both excellent receivers who can make the first tackler miss, so the Lions LBs and safeties will need to stay disciplined and alert.

I do have some concerns about the pass rush, or lack thereof. Al-Quadin Muhammad is Detroit’s top EDGE in this game, but he comes from the practice squad and hasn’t played in a game since 2022. If coordinator Aaron Glenn tries too hard to scheme up the rush, it does take away from the coverage but especially the tackling and containment after the catch, and that’s where these Titans receivers can win.

Then there’s the more abstract. It’s hard for a team to get such consistently bad play from players who do seem to have some real ability. That starts with Will Levis, who is effective in a Baker Mayfield kind of way until he makes truly ponderous decisions and terrible throws at the least opportune times. Their cornerbacks are solid but don’t always play to their potential. Perhaps missing L’Jarius Sneed will provide an opportunity for a heretofore unheralded defensive back to step up and make a name. Tennessee is overdue for something like that to happen.

And, of course, the history factor. The Lions have never beaten the Titans. Most of the games have been more about Detroit finding ways to lose than the Titans being that much better (2008 excepted). History must be respected before repeating it can be avoided.

Final score prediction

This is the “easiest” game left on the Lions schedule. Worry about a trap game if you will, but I believe that Dan Campbell and his staff will avoid falling victim to overconfidence. It might not result in the lopsided outcome that my Titans Wire colleagues all predicted, but the Lions should win comfortably.

Lions 26, Titans 13

Lions vs. Vikings: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions vs. Vikings: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 7 NFC North showdown

This Sunday’s morning coffee precedes a newly rare occurrence. The Detroit Lions play a 1 p.m. game on a Sunday. It’s just the second time all season, and it’s Week 7. As it’s currently 5:57 AM and I’ve got a lot of thoughts about today’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, the coffee is definitely flowing.

This will be Detroit’s first time as an underdog in 2024. It’s the first game without dominant EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, too. First divisional game as well, and it’s a big one. A Lions win in Minnesota would elevate Detroit into the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Sure it’s early in the season, but it would still be fantastic to seize the top spot and make someone else come and try to take it. That’s what Dan Campbell is all about, and that’s why Detroit loves him.

But this one will not be easy…

Why I think the Lions will win

I am a believer, without any substantive data to back it up, that in the first game after a team loses a superstar like Hutchinson, the supporting players rise up and compensate well. I think back to a Texans team that lost prime J.J. Watt in Houston’s fifth game of the season, only to come out the next week and bag four sacks and force four takeaways. Lions DT D.J. Reader got one of those sacks–the only one he would record that season.

Heck, the Lions already did that once this year when All-Pro center Frank Ragnow missed the 40-point eruption over Seattle. It shouldn’t be relied upon because I’m sure the long-term data would tell me I’m off-base, but it happens enough that it’s feasible it could happen again.

This Lions defense certainly has that capability. The Vikings don’t have a lot of tape on Pat O’Connor in Detroit, or Isaac Ukwu or Trevor Nowaske. They both played decent enough in Dallas after Hutchinson’s injury to think they can impact this game on a key play or two. It doesn’t take much to facilitate a big play from safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, who might be the best playmaking tandem in the league–especially when playing 2-high looks, which figures to be the base look against an explosive Vikings offense.

It helps that the Lions have scored over 40 points in consecutive games for the first time since before William Clay Ford bought the team over 60 years ago. Granted they played a soft Dallas team in Week 6, but Jared Goff and the offense have been completely dialed in the last two games.

Goff has a nice history playing against Minnesota (4-2 in Detroit), as well as lighting up the creative chaos that is the Brian Flores defensive scheme. Detroit scored exactly 30 points in both meetings last season, both Detroit wins. Goff keeps proving he’s reliable in big games and will find the proper target at the right time, a big key to nullifying the exotic Vikings defense.

It won’t hurt that Minnesota’s best second-level run defender, LB Blake Cashman, is out with an injury. Jahmyr Gibbs should benefit, though David Montgomery could also find a little more running room, too. Both are capable of putting up 75 yards and a touchdown apiece.

What worries me about the Vikings

Playing an unbeaten opponent in their house is never easy, not even in Week 3. It’s Week 7, more than long enough for the Vikings to quiet any naysayers about the validity of their unblemished record. They’re fifth in scoring offense, fourth in scoring defense. They won in Green Bay a week after blowing away a Texans team that would be the No. 2 seed in the AFC if the season ended today — and could very well stay there.

This is a very good football team on both sides of the ball. More to the point, they have offensive and defensive playmakers that can match Detroit’s; exceedingly few teams can lay claim to that. Worse, the Vikings are coming off their bye week. They’re fresh and also had time to prepare more in-depth for a specific opponent in Detroit they desperately want to beat.

Everyone expected the offense to be pretty good, even with journeyman Sam Darnold at quarterback. Justin Jefferson is a legit All-Pro weapon at wideout, and Aaron Jones is a very effective and versatile running back. Jordan Addison is a dangerous No. 2 wideout, with Jailen Nailor an effective role player in support. Minnesota’s offensive line isn’t to Detroit’s level, but the Vikings unit features two really good tackles and a strong center (sound familiar?).

It’s the defensive playmaking from the Vikings that has surprised me. They’re a very well-conceived unit, with smart addition Jonathan Greenard nicely balancing Patrick Jones, the best pass rusher most Lions fans have never heard of. They’ve combined for nine sacks. LB Andrew Van Ginkel is a perfect fit in Brian Flores’ defense, capable of playing in coverage or rushing the passer from any pre-snap alignment. He’s got three sacks and two pick-sixes as a variable catalyst who is very difficult to read. Their corners have been more reliable in coverage this year, and Minnesota might have the best-tackling secondary in the NFL. They’re the best first-quarter defense in the league, meaning they’re good at playing with a lead and turning up the pressure even more.

I do think Flores’ defense has its vulnerabilities. It’s a unit that relies heavily on takeaways and offensive mistakes. Jared Goff has done well in playing smart and avoiding the no-scope-360 errors. As noted above, the Lions ground-and-pound with the offensive line leading Gibbs and Montgomery is a great solution for attacking it. Minnesota is ripe for the picking with a good No. 2 TE like Brock Wright and a deep shot to Jameson Williams against the blitz.

That was true against Tampa Bay, too. You might not want to remember Week 2, but that was a game where the Lions–specifically OC Ben Johnson–decided not to take advantage of any of their matchup advantages. Detroit lost that one to a Buccaneers team that isn’t close to as potent as Minnesota because the Lions offense got away from its identity.

I need to see Johnson prove to me he’s not going to make that mistake again. If Jared Goff throws over 40 nickel-and-dime times in this one (he threw 55 times for just 307 yards vs. TB), that plane ride back to Detroit is apt to be a solemn one.

Minnesota also happens to have found itself a kicker in rookie Will Reichard. The former clutch Alabama kicker is perfect on the season, including a 58-yarder. The Vikings punter, Ryan Wright, is very good at preventing returns and pinning teams deep in conjunction with a well-coached coverage unit. Read as: no free yards from special teams.

Final score prediction

Like most everyone, I think these are the two best teams in the NFC. Detroit playing this game without all the recently injured pass rushers, and Minnesota playing at home coming off a bye week, is enough to make me think the Vikings will prevail. Barely…

Vikings 29, Lions 27

 

Lions and Cowboys: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions and Cowboys: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 6 game in Dallas

It’s been a few Sundays since the Lions played, what with the bye week and a Monday night game. It’s nice to have the Sunday morning coffee to sip in the chilly Michigan autumn and conjure up some thoughts on Detroit’s game in Dallas later this afternoon.

It should be a good game. Lions fans get their first taste of Tom Brady calling a game, and it’s the featured matchup across the country in the late window. What a great opportunity for Dan Campbell’s Lions to show their mettle coming out of the bye and prove they belong among the NFL’s elite at this juncture of the 2024 season.

Why I think the Lions will win

This one is simple: the run game. The Lions are a top-10 run offense, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Only three teams run the ball more frequently than the Lions do (32.9 attempts per game) with the talented combo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. It’s a consistent attack built around one of the NFL’s best offensive lines–one that returns All-Pro center Frank Ragnow in the middle after missing Detroit’s last game.

That matches up against a Dallas run defense that has not been good. In fact, the Cowboys have the lowest PFF team grade in run defense, and they also rank near the bottom in tackling grade, too. Their linebackers are very speed-based, and they play behind a dilapidated line that doesn’t make many plays. This sets up as a game where both Montgomery and Gibbs can top 75 rushing yards and each score a touchdown.

Then there’s the flip side. Detroit’s defense against running backs remains the NFL’s best; the Lions still give up a lot of yards to opposing QBs that run, but no team allows a lower yards per carry to RBs on first downs (2.9) than the Lions run defense. They face a Dallas run offense that barely tries. The Cowboys run the ball less than all but one team, and one reason might be their anemic 3.5 YPC, also 31st in the league.

Without their top three pass rushers, notably Micah Parsons, the Dallas pass rush isn’t nearly as foreboding. They still have some talent, but this is a game where Jared Goff should have some opportunities down the field on play action. Old friend Amani Oruwariye figures to match up against Jameson Williams, and it could remind Lions fans why the team gave up on Oruwariye and have a much better secondary for it, too.

Aidan Hutchinson has a great matchup today, too. The Cowboys offensive line has been rebuilt, and it’s a lot better on the interior than at tackle. Hutchinson leads the NFL in sacks even though he’s played one fewer game than almost everyone, and his pressure rate and pass rush win rate are off the charts. Tackles Tyler Guyton and Terrence Steele are eminently beatable. As a bonus, the Dallas tight ends are among the worst in pass protection, too. If the Lions get anything at all from the other side opposite Hutchinson, it’s going to be a long day for Dak Prescott.

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What worries me about the Cowboys

We’ll start where we just left off: Dak Prescott. He’s a very good quarterback, one who has played very well against Detroit. Prescott is 5-0 against Detroit, completing over 67 percent of his passes and throwing 11 TDs against just one INT. His career QB Rating against Detroit (118.6) is higher than against any other team.

Even though Dallas can’t run the ball, it’s still a dangerous offense around Prescott, too. The Cowboys seem aware they can’t run and often eschew it, which puts a lot of pressure on the opposing secondary. CeeDee Lamb is an elite receiver who can win all over the field, and he and Prescott are in lockstep. Tight end Jake Ferguson is a good receiver, too. Their backs can catch and turn it up quickly, as well.

I’d be negligent if I didn’t bring up the officiating. Too many Lions-Cowboys games have been impacted by controversial (read: bad) officiating, including last year’s game, where referee Brad Allen decided Dallas should win.

In a close game, kicking matters. It’s hard to trust Lions greenhorn Jake Bates at this point; the track record just isn’t there. His Dallas counterpart, Brandon Aubrey, has already made a 65-yard FG this year and is 7-of-8 from beyond 50 yards this season. He’s quickly become the NFL’s best distance kicker, and that can be the difference in the game.

Final score prediction

It’s hard to forecast a win in Dallas, even with the Lions favored. Once bitten, twice shy is an apropos theme song. Still, Detroit has the better offense and the better defense as the two teams meet today. Barring some unexpected bye-week rust or OC Ben Johnson outsmarting himself, the Lions should be able to outscore the Cowboys in Dallas and run away with an impressive road win over a likely playoff foe.

Lions 30, Cowboys 24

 

 

 

Lions vs. Seahawks: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions vs. Seahawks: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 4 matchup on Monday Night Football

It’s a beautiful morning as dawn just begins to creep up and the steam from my coffee wakes the body. The light from my laptop is brighter than the slowly rising sun as I write this. It’s Lions football day, as odd as that still seems.

For years, the Lions didn’t get primetime attention. As someone who typically goes to bed around 9:30, that suited me fine. Now that the team is successful and, dare I say, high-profile, it’s a fun new adjustment to earning these nontraditional starting times.

Here’s what’s rattling around my Lions brain about tonight’s Monday Night Football showdown with the unbeaten Seattle Seahawks as I enjoy the morning coffee.

Why I think the Lions will win

The matchup of the Lions rushing offense against the Seahawks dilapidated defensive front should be one Detroit can exploit. Even with Frank Ragnow out, and that definitely hurts the Lions’ run offense, the combination of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs should still find some room to run. Montgomery especially should be effective because of his ability to power through the first contact; Seattle’s linebackers and safeties are solid, but they’re not the types who can slow down what Montgomery offers in the B-gaps and certainly not with top DTs Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams out.

Aidan Hutchinson should be able to continue his Defensive Player of the Year front-runner status and impact the Seattle offense. Charles Cross is a good left tackle, but the Seahawks will start Stone Forsythe at right tackle and old friend Laken Tomlinson at left guard. Those are both prime attack points for Hutchinson, and DL coach Terrell Williams has shown he can vary alignments to get No. 97 in favorable matchups. This could be a big night for Levi Onwuzurike and his power-based game on the outside, too. Seattle has been vulnerable to the “heavy” EDGEs who can reset the line against the run.

The ability to win on both sides of the ball on first downs should set up the Lions to capitalize on third downs. Detroit has been very good on third downs on offense (45.2%–4th in the league) and defense (25.8%–3rd). About the only area the Seahawks offense has struggled is on third downs (36.8%–19th) and that’s because they’re not great at running the ball on first downs (3.6 yards per attempt–23rd). As long as LBs Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone remain sharp against the run, the Lions defense can set up some third-and-longs that give the pass rush some chances to create big plays.

What worries me about the Seahawks

This is a good football team. I know, I know–they’ve played a cakewalk schedule. They’ve also feasted on that schedule, which is exactly what a good team does in playing inferior opponents.

Lesser Seattle teams than this edition have given the Lions fits lately, including last year. They play their own way and tend to dictate how the game flow goes, and that’s been a problem for this Lions coaching staff. These are the exact types of games where Detroit OC Ben Johnson gets away from basics and tries to prove things he doesn’t need to. They’re the types where Lions DC Aaron Glenn winds up being too reactive and doesn’t stick to his guns in man coverage and creative pass rushes. Geno Smith has a way of doing that to opposing teams.

I worry very much that the Lions will miss safety Brian Branch in this one. Seattle has three dangerous wide receivers, and Smith has proven he plays no favorites in getting the ball where it needs to go. Likely Branch replacement Brandon Joseph has struggled with tackling going back to college, and now he gets his primetime baptism with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett?! Suboptimal, to say the least.

Back to the recent success Seattle has had against the Lions for a minute…

I’m a believer that those sorts of things build upon themselves. Success begets success. Smith specifically is a very difficult matchup for the Lions because he’s a lot like Goff–smart, precise, flexible of mind and target–but he’s also capable of running a little if that door opens. He’s got tremendous confidence in his teammates and their ability to overcome challenges and win, and they’ve done it before in Detroit.

Final score prediction

I expect a tightly played, back-and-forth game between two teams that look like they could meet again in late January. The Lions will win if they’re better in the red zone and avoid giving up big plays. Alas, I just don’t feel it playing out that way.

Seahawks 23, Lions 21