Lions vs. Rams: Bold predictions for Week 13

Special Teams

Something funny has been happening this season whenever opposing kickers step onto the field to attempt a field goal and/or an extra point this season against the Lions. Somehow, in a league that sees extra points as almost automatic and where missed field goals are uncommon, the Lions have had an astounding amount of kicks missed against them.

Justin Rogers, a beat writer from The Detroit News, noted this phenomenon writing that:

"“Field-goal kicking in the NFL…  have made 80 percent of their attempts of better. Then, there’s the Detroit Lions, who appear to have goalposts that draw footballs like magnets. Opponents have missed a league-high eight field goals and four extra points this season against the Lions.”"

Interesting.

This week, the Rams bring one of the league’s best kickers, Greg Zuerlein, with them to Ford Field. Zuerlein is in the midst of another stellar season having missed only two field goals all season and only one extra point.

Just a couple weeks after one of the league’s better kickers in Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano missed multiple kicks against the Lions, Sunday sees another league-best kicker struck down.

Prediction: Greg Zuerlein becomes the latest victim of the Detroit Lions’ curse that seems to ice opposing kickers. Zuerlein misses one extra point and two field goals, doubling his season misses through 11 games.

Game Outcome

If the Detroit Lions can put together a good game plan and execute it both offensively and defensively, plus get a little luck, they could possibly pull off the upset on Sunday. Whether or not the above bold predictions happen, the Lions have a chance to shock everyone tomorrow afternoon.

Score Prediction: The Detroit Lions come out with a bang and surprise the football world by squeaking out of Ford Field this week with a 38-33 win over the Los Angeles Rams.