Here we go. The Detroit Lions will begin their 2024 season this Sunday night on national television against the Los Angeles Rams. With this little time to breathe before the season starts, we’re going to go game by game on the season and drop out final record prediction for the season. Let’s jump into it.
Week 1: Lions vs Rams
Starting the season off with a rematch of the most emotional game of last season. Jared Goff vs Matthew Stafford part three. I have to go with the Lions in this one. I fully expect Ford Field to be red hot like they were in the Wild Card and that could pull the Lions over the finish line.
The other thing is that the Rams offensive line is going to be a lot different in this one. They will be missing left tackle Alaric Jackson due to suspension and they’re going in experiment with moving Steve Avilla to guard and Jonah Jackson to center. The Lions have to take advantage here.
Record: 1-0
Week 2 vs Buccaneers
It’s cool that the Lions are essentially replaying two magical games in a row from last year. This is going to be an interesting game with Carlton Davis playing his former team for the first time. I think he picks off Baker Mayfield in an important moment and the Lions win.
Record: 2-0
Week 3 at Cardinals
Death, taxes and the Lions playing the Cardinals yet again. They did get a year off last year, but here we are again. I think this is a very winnable game for the Lions and they get it done. The Cardinals are a building team at the moment.
This will be the Lions first big test to see how they play against a mobile quarterback this year. Luckily they won’t have to deal with too many of them in 2024.
Record: 3-0
Week 4 vs Seahawks on Monday Night Football
It’s really hard with this one. The Seahawks have had the Lions number in the last two years. Can Aaron Glenn figure out how to stop this team on the fourth try? He has to right? Pete Carroll can’t hurt him anymore. Lions win.
Record: 4-0
Week 6 At Cowboys
There’s just no way the Lions go into this game and don’t bring it after what happened last year. They are going to want to beat this team up and they’ll be coming off a week’s rest. Lions get it done this time with no referee funny business.
Plus the Cowboys very much seem like the same exact team they were last year with a couple of odd additions. It’s time to put some stuff to bed with this one.
Record: 5-0
Week 7 at Vikings
The Lions won’t be getting their first shot at J.J. McCarthy in the Vikings in this one. It will be Sam Darnold. I think this team will be good in due time, but I think they struggle in 2024 as they continue their rebuild. Lions win here. That defensive line is something to worry about in this one though.
Record: 6-0
Week 8 vs Titans
The Titans are going to be a tough team. I think there’s some overlooking happening with these guys. Especially on the defensive side. Still, I have to go with the more complete team and that’s the Lions. Yes, I realize what is happening with this record right now is crazy. I promise they will lose some games soon.
Record: 7-0
Week 9 at Packers
I know Lions fans don’t want it to happen, but the Packers are pretty good too. They split with the Lions last year and I think they’ll do it again this year. The Lions lose this one at Lambeau. This game just feels like one the Lions will go into feeling like they win and then just get beat badly.
Record: 7-1
Week 10 at Texans on Monday Night Football
This could very well be a preview of Super Bowl LIX. The Texans are going to be an incredibly tough out with that offense and that new defense. I think they mow through the league. Unfortunately that will include the Lions. Detroit loses back to back for the first time since 2022.
Record: 7-2
Week 11 vs Jaguars
The Lions are back at home for the first time in two weeks and they will take on a Jaguars team that can be sneaky good at times, but struggle mightily with turnovers. Trevor Lawrence has turned the ball over 60 times in the last three years. Lions win the turnover battle and the game.
Record: 8-2
Week 12 at Colts
Back on the road again, but in the comfy confines of an indoor stadium. The Colts are coming along and could be playoff team this year, but the Lions are ready to get back to their winning ways and make it two in a row.
Record: 9-2
Week 13 vs Bears for Thanksgiving
The Lions haven’t won on Thanksgiving since 2016. That streak finally comes to end against the Bears. I think they’ll play them close and it will be a good game, but the Lions pull it out late. Plus there’s no waxing gibbous moon to worry about. I know that’s going to be the thing on every Lions fan’s mind this November.
Record: 10-2
Week 14 vs Packers on Thursday Night Football
The Lions lost to the Packers at Lambeau in the first matchup. I mentioned they would split the series and here’s where the Lions get their win. They are a tough team to play at home in primetime. That’s going to help them win.
Record: 11-2
Week 15 vs Bills
The Bills are a tough team. I know Josh Allen turns the ball over a lot, but he makes plays when they need them. He can do it with his arm and he can do it with his feet. I think this is a dark horse potential game of the year candidate based off how good their Thanksgiving matchup was in 2022. I sadly think it’s the same outcome as that one too. Bills win.
Record: 11-3
Week 16 at Bears
This is the Lions’ one potential inclement weather game. The Lions aren’t good in inclement weather. They weren’t last year when they had to go to Chicago for their one inclement weather game. The Bears steal this one.
Record: 11-4
Week 17 at 49ers on Monday Night Football
Like the Cowboys game, I can’t see the Lions walking into this one without the desire to get it right this time on their mind. This could potentially be a very important game for seeding and one that the Lions will win en route to the number one seed in the NFC.
Record: 12-4
Week 18 vs Vikings
The Lions close the season out at home and they do it with a monumental win that will give the Lions their best record in franchise history right before they get a bye week in the playoffs.
Final Record: 13-4
At the end of the day it’s hard to bet against this roster and their coaching staff. The Lions have everything they need to do big things this season, they just need to go out there and do it. We think they will.