With it now known what week the games will be, here’s our win-loss prediction for each game on the Detroit Lions schedule in 2022, with a final record prediction.
The NFL has made its annual schedule release into an event, though games get leaked here and there before the prime time show to unveil all 272 regular season games. For the Detroit Lions, after a 3-13-1 record but a promising finish to the 2021 campaign, the 2022 season is an opportunity to keep the good vibe going.
It was already out that the Lions will be traveling the second-fewest miles in the league, and that the slate is favorable if only due to that.
The Lions full 2022 regular season schedule is now out. So let’s go through it game-by-game, with a win-loss prediction for each contest and a brief summary
Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sept. 11, 1 p.m. ET
The Lions will try to avenge last year’s 44-6 home loss to the Eagles. Expect a closer game, but Philadelphia still looks like the better team.
Prediction: Loss, Record: 0-1
Week 2: vs. Washington Commanders, Sept. 18, 1 p.m. ET
The Commanders theoretically have a better quarterback in Carson Wentz, but they are not a team that will dominate opponents and Wentz has some tendency to make mistakes an inopportune times.
Prediction: Win, Record: 1-1
Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings, Sept. 25, 1 p.m. ET
The Lions nearly beat the Vikings at Minnesota last year, then got their first win of the season against them later in the season. I expect a pretty tight game, but the Lions fall just short.
Prediction: Loss, Record: 1-2
Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Oct. 2, 1 p.m. ET
The Seahawks traded Russell Wilson. That’s plenty enough to close the gap there was between these two teams, as evidenced by last year’s one-sided win by Seattle over the Lions at home. At home this time, Detroit wins.
Prediction: Win, Record: 2-2
Week 5: at New England Patriots, Oct. 9, 1 p.m. ET
The added layer of taking on former head coach Matt Patricia can’t be ignored, whatever his specific role back with the Patriots has become this year. But there’s clearly a better team here, and it’s not likely to be the Lions in Week 5.
Prediction: Loss, Record, 2-3
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys, Oct. 23, 1 p.m. ET
A trip to take on the Cowboys is always a tough bargain. The Lions will have trouble keeping pace, without Dallas making some of their trademark mental mistakes or Mike McCarthy grossly mismanaging something.
Prediction: Loss, Record 2-4
Week 8: vs. Miami Dolphins, Oct. 30, 1 p.m. ET
Expectations are heightened in Miami this year. Based on that alone, they better come to Detroit and take care of business.
Prediction: Loss, Record 2-5
Week 9: vs. Green Bay Packers, Nov. 6, 1 p.m. ET
As long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the Packers should handle the Lions here.
Prediction: Loss, Record 2-6
Week 10: at Chicago Bears, Nov. 13, 1 p.m. ET
The Lions nearly beat the Bears twice last season, and Chicago is arguably worse now. Detroit gets on track here.
Prediction: Win, Record: 3-6
Week 11: at New York Giants, Nov. 20, 1 p.m. ET
The Giants seem to have a competent head coach now, but they still lack talent. The Lions may come to town and blow them out.
Prediction: Win, Record: 4-6
Week 12: vs. Buffalo Bills, Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving), 12:30 p.m. ET
The Bills are among the best teams in the NFL. Short week games can be tricky, and the Lions will be amped up for Thanksgiving Day. But Detroit is simply going to be overmatched here.
Prediction: Loss, Record: 4-7
Week 13: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Dec. 4, 1 p.m. ET
The Jaguars should be a little better this year, and notably less dysfunctional with Doug Pederson as head coach. But the Lions win the DJ Chark revenge game, and make it three out of four overall.
Prediction: Win, Record: 5-7
Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Dec. 11, 1 p.m. ET
In the scope of a division game, the Lions won’t be blown out by the Vikings. But they will far short against Minnesota a second time in 2022.
Prediction: Loss, Record: 5-8
Week 15: at New York Jets, Dec. 18, 1 p.m. ET
The Jets should be better in 2022, the question is how many more wins that means. Weather will surely be a factor in this game, but that just means the Lions would have to win a little ugly.
Prediction: Win, Record: 6-8
Week 16: at Carolina Panthers, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve), 1 p.m. ET
By Week 16, the Panthers may be totally checked out as head coach Matt Rhule counts the days he has left in his job. Based solely on that, a Christmas Eve blowout win for the Lions is in the offing.
Prediction: Win, Record: 7-8
Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears, Jan. 1, 2023, 1 p.m. ET
Again, the Bears just don’t look likely to be very good. It may be a close game, but the Lions get the season sweep of Chicago.
Prediction: Win, Record: 8-8
Week 18: at Green Bay Packers, Jan. 7 or Jan. 8, TBD
What the Packers may or may not have to play for in Week 18 will be a factor here. If they’re resting starters, as they did in Week 18 last season, the Lions could win just like they did then. But I think the Packers will have something to play for in terms of playoff seed, so the Lions end a very promising season on a losing note.
Prediction: Loss, Record: 8-9