“I see 11 wins for the surging Lions” – Terry Foster

Eleven wins for the Detroit Lions. That’s my prediction and I’m sticking with it. When was the last time I picked the Lions to win 11 games? How about never. I too am buying into the Lions hype, although a number of you out there have gone overboard and predicted 15 or 16 wins.

Nothing is easy in the NFL. I predict the Lions to soar but there will be slumps and stumbles as with any team.

I bring you the way too damn early game-by-game predictions for the Detroit Lions season.

Last season I got very few of the game correctly while doing this but came up with an 8-9 season, one off the final mark for the Lions.

Let’s do it again.

SEPT 7: at Kansas City Chiefs (8:20 pm NBC)

The Lions walk into a hornet’s nest as the Chiefs celebrate a Super Bowl championship in front of a packed house at Arrowhead. The emotions of the evening fill the KC players with an early surge as they soar to a 21-6 lead. When the emotions wear off the Lions are ready to pounce. But it won’t be enough.

CHIEFS 28, LIONS 20 – L (0-1)

SEPT 17: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1 pm on Fox)

It’s only Week 2, but the Lions already face a must-win game to calm an entire fan base, some who are ready to shout “Same old Lions” should they get off to another 0-2 start under the slow-starting Dan Campbell. There are tense moments at Ford Field as the offense struggles early. Finally, the brand new Lions emerge late in the fourth quarter.

LIONS 24, SEAHAWKS 20 – W (1-1)

SEPT 24 ATLANTA FALCONS (1 PM FOX)

The Lions face rookie running back Bijan Robinson, the man they passed on for Jahmyr Gibbs. The Lions claimed they took Gibbs because he is a more versatile back. Here is the funny part. The Falcons are showcasing Robinson all over the field – the back field and the slot — because they claim he is the most versatile running back in the 2023 draft class.
The media will focus on the two running backs. The Lions will focus on defense.

LIONS 28, FALCONS 14 – W (2-1)

SEPT. 28: AT GREEN BAY (8:15 PM AMAZON PRIME)

Although Aaron Rodgers is out of the picture the Packers should be good and pissed off how the Lions ended their 2022 season. The problem is Jordan Love is their quarterback and he still lacks the seasoning to finish off this game.
Revenge falls short for the Pack.

LIONS 27, PACKERS 23 – W (3-1)

OCT. 8 CAROLINA PANTHERS (1 PM FOX)

For some reason the Panthers have the Lions number. The Lions produce the first dud of the season as the Panthers open up questions about the Lions run defense again.

PANTHERS 20, LIONS 13 – L (3-2)

OCT. 15 AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1 PM FOX)

Tom Brady was the reason why they won in New England. Now it is the Bucs turn to learn the primary reason they had a mini run was because of Tom Brady. Brady is gone, so is the Bucs luck. Jared Goff is the top QB this day as he passes for 350 yards.

LIONS 45, BUCS 24 W (4-2)

OCT. 22 AT BALTIMORE RAVENS 1 PM FOX)

Sometimes you get good Lamar Jackson. Fortunately for the Lions they get bad Lamar Jackson who does not take full advantage of the gaping running lanes. After a dismal performance against the Panthers, the Lions run defense rebounds and holds Jackson in check to get the bandwagon rolling again.

LIONS 17, RAVENS 13 W (5-2)

OCT 30: LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (MNF 8:15 PM ESPN)

Where has the Lions offense been? It has struggled early but offensive coordinator Ben Johnson figures things out and gets quarterback Jared Goff rolling again. Receiver Jameson Williams is back off suspension. He plays a limited role in this game but Amon Rah St. Brown does not.

LIONS 42, RAIDERS 34 W (6-2)

BYE

NOV. 12 AT THE LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4:05 PM CBS)

LA must now pay attention to the Chargers, who are now the kings of LA. Rams who? Matthew who?
Justin Herbert and the gang take center stage and pull off a high-scoring win against the upstart Lions.

CHARGERS 41, LIONS 34 L (6-3)

NOV. 19 CHICAGO BEARS (1 PM FOX)

The Bears are not bad as we think. Justin Fields loves playing against the Lions and enjoys a big game. Although he rushes for 95 yards, he is also sacked twice by Aiden Hutchinson and James Houston nabs him for a third sack.

LIONS 38, BEARS 34 W (7-3)

NOV. 23 GREEN BAY PACKERS (12:30 PM THANKSGIVING FOX)

The Pack is back and gets its revenge on the fat and sassy Lions. Jordon Love is still not Aaron Rodgers but he makes enough plays to pull off this stunner.

PACKERS 28, LIONS 21 L (7-4)

DEC. 3 AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1 PM FOX)

The Saints embarrass themselves in what is billed as an important games. They find out that winning games against the putrid NFC South is a lot different than playing the Lions. Did I just say that? Wash my mouth out with soap and water.

LIONS 35, SAINTS 28 W (8-4)

DEC. 10 AT CHICAGO BEARS (1 PM FOX)

I hate the wildcat offense. However, the wildcat works as tight end Sam LaPorta takes a few snaps for the Lions during a boring run-heavy game at Soldier Field. The Bears play the Lions tough again but fall short as the Lions pull out a new wrinkle.

LIONS 24, BEARS 20 W (9-4)

DEC. 17 DENVER BRONCOS (TBD)

Silly things often happen when the Lions play the Broncos. The craziest game occurred in 2007 when the Lions molly wopped the Broncos 44-6. After the game Lions wide receiver Mike Furrey shouted at a doubting media “Hey Detroit media you can kiss our ass.”

The next day I predicted the 6-2 Lions would stumble and miss the playoffs. They finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs. There is no déjà vu this time.

LIONS 38, BRONCOS 3 W (10-4)

DEC. 24 AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1 PM FOX)

The Hankie dome is a nightmare for the Lions. The Vikings get lucky again and win a game they have no business winning.

VIKINGS 35, LIONS 31. L (10-5)

DEC. 30 AT DALLAS COWBOYS (8:15 PM SATURDAY ABC/ESPN)

The Lions begin to fade down the stretch as teams give them their best punch. The Cowboys want to remain America’s team and are a bit resentful of the national love the Lions are getting. The Cowboys keep it on the ground and pound the Lions.

COWBOYS 30, LIONS 20 L (10-6)

WEEK 18 – TBD MINNESOTA VIKINGS (TBD)

Many expected the Lions to run away with the division and for the Vikings to fade. It didn’t quite work out that way. This turns out to be a winner take all for the division title. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins stinks up the joint. Goff does not.

LIONS 34, VIKINGS 17 W (11-6)

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For more from the author Terry Foster, check him out on Twitter here: @terryfosterdet

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