The Detroit Lions are coming off a 12-win season and an NFC Championship appearance, and they’re poised to be even better this fall. Maybe not record-wise, with a first-place schedule, an early-season bye and three straight road games. But they have a better team from top to bottom and a chance to go deeper in the playoffs.
Here’s my way-too-early, game-by-game prediction for how the Lions will fare in 2024.
Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 p.m., September 8, NBC
The atmosphere in this game won’t be as electric as when the teams met in the first round of the playoffs in January, but the “Ja-red Goff” chants will be just as loud. Choose: Leos 28, Aries 24.
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Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. September 15, Fox
If the target on their backs wasn’t big enough, the Lions open with back-to-back games against teams they beat in the playoffs in January. Pick: Bucs 21, Lions 20.
Week 3: at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. September 22, Fox
Looking forward to that early season rookie showdown between Terrion Arnold and Marvin Harrison Jr. Pick: Lions 31, Cardinals 20.
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Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m. September 30, ABC
The Seahawks have scored 51, 48 and 37 points against Aaron Glenn’s defenses over the last three years. None of those games were Monday night games at Ford Field. Pick: Lions 34, Seahawks 24.
Week 6: at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., October 13, Fox
After a bye week, you know Ben Johnson will have something clever ready for Taylor Decker and/or Dan Skipper this game. Pick: Cowboys 24, Lions 23.
Week 7: at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. October 20, Fox
I think JJ McCarthy will have a great career in Minnesota, but he’s headed for some growing pains as a rookie. Pick: Lions 20, Vikings 17.
Week 8: vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. Oct. 27, Fox
The Lions play the entire AFC South over a five-week span in October and November. Pick: Lions 31, Titans 14.
Week 9: at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. November 3, Fox
The Lions win the division again, but lose to Jordan Love at Lambeau Field. Pick: Packers 23, Lions 20.
Week 10: at Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m. November 10, NBC
CJ Stroud couldn’t beat Michigan. Maybe he’ll fare better against the Lions. Pick: Texans 34, Lions 27.
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Week 11: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., Nov. 17, CBS
Do you think Jacksonville regrets choosing Travon Walker over Aidan Hutchinson? Pick: Lions 34, Jaguars 24.
Week 12: at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. November 24, Fox
If Anthony Richardson stays healthy, I think the Colts are fighting for a playoff spot in the AFC. Pick: Lions 28, Colts 27.
Week 13: vs. Chicago Bears, 12:30 p.m., Nov. 28, CBS
The Lions have lost seven straight on Thanksgiving, and three of those losses came against the Bears. Pick: Lions 31, Bears 21.
Week 14: vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m., December 5, 8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime
Thursday’s back-to-back games give the Lions a mini-bye heading into the home stretch. Pick: Lions 28, Packers 20.
Week 15: vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m., Dec. 15, CBS
The Lions almost beat the Bills two years ago when Buffalo was good. It’s Josh Allen and a lot of mediocre ones now. Pick: Lions 35, Bills 24.
Week 16: at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. December 22, Fox
If Caleb Williams is half decent, the Bears will soon be an NFC contender. Choose: Bears 26, Lions 21.
Week 17: at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m. December 30, ESPN/ABC
The winner gets the No. 1 seed in the NFC? Pick: 49ers 27, Lions 24.
Week 18: vs. Minnesota Vikings, time and date TBD, TV TBD
Lions-Packers or Lions-Bears would have been a more compelling season finale. Maybe the league thinks the division will be closed by then. Pick: Lions 28, Vikings 17.
Final registration: 11-6.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
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