Training camp has already begun for a few teams across the league. As for the Detroit Lions, rookies are set to report to camp on July 23rd, and the vets will be there in the days to follow.
As the season rapidly approaches, the Lions have started to create buzz across the NFL world. In the month of June, the Detroit Lions over/under win total was the most placed bet at Caesers Sportsbook. Deandre Swift was also the most popular bet to be the NFL’s leading rusher, no thanks to their stacked O-Line. Additionally, Dan Campbell drew the most wagers to become the 2022 coach of the year.
With everyone high on the Detroit Lions (a statement I never thought could be said out loud without being followed by an insulting laugh), it’s a good idea to take a step back and objectively ask ourselves, how good will the Lions be?
Well, with an ascending group of weapons for Jared Goff, the best O-Line in football, and the fifth easiest schedule in all of the league, six wins (the opening over/under line) doesn’t seem out of reach at all.
Here is my projection for all 17 games in the 2022 NFL season:
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Week 1: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are another ascending offense in the NFC. Former Alabama QB Jalen Hurts will be entering his third season in the NFL. During the draft, the Eagles made a move to help out their young QB by trading for AJ Brown. Hurts has proved he can be a threat with his legs. However, the Lions have had recent success against mobile QBs. Kyler Murray is 0-2-1 against Detroit. While the Ravens did beat Detroit last season, Lamar Jackson was held to under 300 yards through the air and under 60 on the ground. He was sacked four times and threw a pick. The Ravens just edged the Lions with Justin Tucker’s record-setting Field Goal. Additionally, opening night in Ford Field? That’ll be just as chaotic as an Eagles game.
Prediction: 7-10 Point Win
1-0
Week: 2 Washington Commanders
Washington fans may be in for a bit of a disaster season. The Commanders decided to fix all of their QB problems by trading for someone who has notoriously caused teams QB problems. The Commanders have some young pieces, but that’s about all. If the Lions can cause some pressure with blitzes and disrupt Wentz, Detroit should start the season 2-0.
Prediction: 7-10 Point Win
2-0
Week 3: @ Minnesota Vikings
The Lions are going to be much improved next year, but let’s not pretend like we own the division. We’ll split with the Viks. The home team takes both.
Prediction: 3-7 Point Loss
2-1
Week 4: @ Seattle Seahawks
This is not the same Seahawks team we’ve been used to the past decade. With no Russel Wilson, a horrible defense, and by far the worst starting quarterback in the NFL, Seattle is destined to be picking at the top of this year’s NFL draft. In Week 4, the Lions grab their first road win of the season.
Prediction: 10-14 Point Win
3-1
Week 5: @ New England Patriots
New England may be in a new era of their franchise, but they are never a team to think down upon. This is a game in which we could easily be out-coached by Bill Belichick. Their roster isn’t a wrecking ball of a squad, but Bill always make something out of nothing. It’s all about the team, the team, the team. Foxborough will probably be too much to overcome for the Lions.
Prediction: 10-14 Point Loss
3-2
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: @ Dallas Cowboys
As sweet as a win in Jerry World would taste, the Cowboys match up well with the Lions. Against poor secondaries, Dak Prescott has shown to be an assassin with the football. He’ll probably get 50+ attempts to attack our poor pass coverage. Hopefully, this one doesn’t get too ugly.
Prediction: 10-14 Point Loss
3-3
Week 8: Miami Dolphins
It’s hard to make what to think of this game. Tua Tagovailoa is out of time to prove himself in Miami and will most likely be on a short leash this season. It’s possible Teddy Bridgewater is the starter at this point. But it’s also just plausible to see a rise of gameplay from Tua with the addition of Tyreek Hill, not to mention Jaylen Waddle. Speed kills, and the Dolphins have two of the fastest receivers in the game. Tua might never live up to his draft pick, but that doesn’t mean he will be bad forever. Too hard to pick a team with confidence here. To prove I’m not bias, I’ll pick the home team.
Prediction: 3-7 Point Loss
3-4
Week 9: Green Bay Packers
Whether or not the lack of weapons for Aaron Rodgers will significantly affect the team, we won’t know until we know. Nonetheless, the Packers have a stellar defense and a run game that the Lion’s front seven is going to have to prove they can stop. Division games are always a battle. The Lions should be capable of taking one of the two games from Green Bay, but I won’t be entirely shocked if Green Bay steals both.
Prediction: 3-7 Point Win
4-4
Week 10: @ Chicago Bears
The Bears very well could obtain the number 1 pick next draft. Their roster is quite awful. Similar to what the Lions went through last year, second-year QB Justin Fields has no weapons to throw the ball to. Additionally, their offensive line couldn’t block a Yoga ball from going into a basketball hoop. They would somehow find a way to let it happen. The Bears are setting their young QB up to fail. Lions should take care of business and get back over .500.
Prediction: 7-10 Point Win
5-4
Week 11: @ New York Giants
I do believe the Lions can beat the Giants. However, you never end up winning every game you are supposed to win. Plus, no one really knows what to think about the Giants this upcoming season. My guess is the Lions finish with a much better record, but the Giants steal a win and our hearts.
Prediction: 7-10 Point Loss
5-5
Week 12: Buffalo Bills
Heart can only take you so far when your opponent is better than you at nearly every position. There is a reason Buffalo is the favorite to win the Super Bowl next season. I doubt the Lions stand a chance. Our first blowout might be suffered at Ford Field this week. This will be the game we all decide Jared Goff sucks again.
Prediction: 14-17 Point Loss
5-6
Week 13: @ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags were big spenders this offseason. Now it’s time to find out if their money spent can translate to a better team. There is still hope for Trevor Lawrence to be a superstar in this league, and I do think he’ll be much improved this year. However, the Jaguars still don’t pose a threat to anyone until they prove it.
Prediction: 3-7 Point Win
6-6
Week 14: Minnesota Vikings
Lions and Vikings should split, home and home.
Prediction: 3-7 Point Win
7-6
Week 15: @ New York Jets
Another up-and-coming team in the NFL, the Jets. If there was one team that had a better draft than the Lions, it was New York. For the first time in some years, the Jets seem to have a positive outlook on their foundation. This game will be on the road for the Lions, and this late into the season, it will be tough. However, the Jets are relying heavily on their rookies to make a day one impact. Only time can tell if Garret Wilson, Ahmed Gardner, and Jermaine Johnson are day one guys. Fairly, I’ll stick the home team in a scenario in which it’s tough to tell.
Prediction: 7-10 Point Loss
7-7
Week 16: Carolina Panthers
Carolina has some nice pieces on offense, and Baker Mayfield is an upgrade at the quarterback position. However, their Offensive Line is still atrocious, and Baker Mayfield is the worst QB in the NFL when under pressure. There’s not a ton to like on the defensive side of the ball either for Carolina. At home, I think the Lions capture their eighth win.
Prediction: 10-13 Point Win
8-7
Week 17: Chicago Bears
The Bears have one of the worse rosters in the NFL. No reason the Lions shouldn’t win at home. Wildly enough, the playoff hopes stay alive!
Prediction: 7-10 Point Win
9-7
Week 18: @ Green Bay
Unless Green Bay rests their guys because they’ve already seen locked up their seed in the playoffs, a win is probably not happening. However, I could see the Lions miraculously overcoming a win in Lambo to capture a playoff spot after an unthinkable season. Thinking with the heart is fun sometimes, isn’t it? But we’ll stick with our brain for the pick. But a dreamer can still dream.
Prediction: 3-7 Point Loss
9-8
Reflection
9-8 wouldn’t be too shabby for a team that had just three wins a season ago. In a weak NFC, with luck on our side, that might even be good enough for a Wild-Card weekend spot. Only time will tell.
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