I have the Lions starting the season 4-2. They already proved me wrong in my week 1 prediction. Im not sad about that. I will say that the loss to the Seahawks in week 2 was a disappointment but it put us back on schedule. Lets look at how the middle third of the season is going to play out.
Lions @ Ravens
This is going to be a tough one. And if the Ravens manage to keep Jackson healthy, I think theyll win. Im not convinced that the Lions have a good solution for the extremely mobile QB yet. Hell, Jeno Smith was running on them last week! I think this will be a loss. Lions fall to 4-3.
Raiders @ Lions
At the time that Im writing this the Raiders are in first place in the AFC West, technically. I have no doubt that by week 8 that will no longer be true. I am a Jimmy G fan. And on the 49ers he was a great choice. But this Raiders team does not have the talent that the 49ers have. And its a long trip from the desert to Motown. I dont think this will be much of a challenge for Detroit and they can go into the bye week with a win. 5-3
Lions @ Chargers
I hate when the Lions have to go to the west coast. The nice thing is that they have the week off before the long trip. This is going to be one of the hardest games of the year but I think the Lions will pull it off. The Chargers just dont seem to have it all together yet, despite having Justin Herbert, the most valuable (in contract dollars) QB in the league. Lions get the win and go to 6-3.
Bears @ Lions
For most teams a game at home against the Bears feels like a gimme. It wont be for the Lions. These divisional games are always tricky and weve got another mobile QB in Justin Fields. I feel like the Bears will be out of any real playoff conversations by this point but they always go all in against divisional rivals. It will be a close game but the Lions should get their third win in a row to bring them to 7-3.
Packers @ Lions
Beating the Packers is going to be vital if the Lions want to win the NFC North. In the Dan Campbell era they have won three of the last four and if my picks are correct for the early season they will have won a fourth match up. By this time in the season both teams will have had their bye weeks. Jordan Love will be comfortable in the offense. But, Detroit will have Jameson Williams back and they should be at full strength. This is going to be another close divisional matchup but I think the Lions get the W. 8-3
The Lions will need to win four of their remaining six games to end the season at 12-5. Next week Ill take a look at those games and predict how its all going to play out.
