Heading into meaningful December games for the first time in awhile, here’s a game-by-game prediction for the rest of the Detroit Lions’ 2022 schedule.
The Detroit Lions are 4-7 this season, and sit 2.5 games behind the Washington Commanders for the final NFC playoff spot. While 4-7 may sound like a disappointing season, and there certainly have been many moments of disappointment, fans that have been watching this team know there has been some significant progress.
The Lions have the top-scoring offense in their NFC North and rank as the 10th-best offense overall in the league this season. And while the defense remains the worst scoring defense in the league, there have been a few players that have been bright spots like Aidan Hutchinson and Jeff Okudah.
While the Lions most likely will not be a playoff team this year, there are still a lot of games to showcase even more improvement with their eyes set on being more competitive next season. Let’s take a look at the remaining games left on the schedule and see how they may shake out.
Predicting the final six games of the Detroit Lions 2022 schedule
Week 13: December 4th vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
This is a game between two young teams who both have shown flashes of improvement this season but whose eyes are set on the future. This will be a battle between two former no. 1 overall picks in quarterbacks Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence. Both teams are coming off games that could arguably be their most complete performances. The Lions lost at the last second to the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving 28-25, and the Jaguars beat the Ravens 28-27 with a two-point conversion for the win after their last touchdown.
These teams are evenly matched with both having a fairly steady offense and a pretty suspect defenses. Neither secondary is great and neither stops the run very well either, but Jacksonville gives up roughly 40 yards less per game on the ground. In a game where most of the best playmakers on both teams come out of the backfield, that statistic may matter. But ultimately, home field will matter in this one. The Lions have struggled at home this season, going 2-4 but losing to very tough opponents (Seahawks, Cowboys, Dolphins, and Bills). However, the Jaguars have gone 1-4 on the road this season. Coming off of the high of winning against Baltimore, look for this to be a trap game for them.
Final Score Prediction: Lions 31, Jaguars 27
Subplot to watch: This is the first matchup between the No.1 and No. 2 overall picks from this year’s draft–Travon Walker and Aidan Hutchinson.
Week 14: Dec.11 vs. Minnesota Vikings
The second matchup between these division rivals sees the Lions playing in their third straight home game. Unfortunately, their opponent, the Vikings, will not be as easy of a matchup as their previous game. The Vikings sit at 9-2, and will be coming off of a Week 13 home game against the Jets which they are favored to win. While the Lions will be hoping to avenge their September loss where the Vikings won late, victory will not come easy. The Vikings have the superior defense, and while the Lions have scored more than the Vikings this year, it’s undeniable that the Vikings’ offense has more talent. Look for this one to be competitive for a while, but the Vikings to win comfortably.
Final Score Prediction: Vikings 35, Lions 24
Subplot to watch: The return of T.J. Hockenson to Detroit.
Week 15: Dec. 18 at New York Jets
The Lions get back on the road in Week 15, and head back to New York to face a Jets team that has overachieved this season. However, they are loaded with talent and playmakers on both sides of the ball. The Jets will be coming off of two games against top playoff contenders in the Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills. If those games both go poorly, this could be a kitchen-sink game for the Jets.
With the move to of Mike White as the starting quarterback, New York seems more able to unleash their plethora of playmakers. Add to that the fact that the Jets have the fourth-ranked scoring defense in the league entering Week 13, and this could be a long game for the Lions’ defense. Expect this one to be a tough game for Lions fans to watch.
Final Score Prediction: Jets 27, Lions 13
Subplot to watch: Jets rookie CB Ahmad Gardner against Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
Week 16: Dec. 24 at Carolina Panthers
If this prediction comes true, the Lions would be coming in at 5-9 to face the Panthers, who have had a weird season. Carolina has started three different quarterbacks this season, they traded their star running back and fired their head coach. Despite this, the Panthers have been playing well as of late and have been finding ways to be competitive thanks to a defense that is giving up just over nine points per game over their last three contests entering Week 13.
Despite this game being in Carolina, the Lions have the upper hand. There is a distinct gap between the talent on the offensive side of the ball for these two teams and the Panthers have a terrible run defense that will allow Jamal Williams and D’Andre Swift to have a field day. On top of this, the Lions will most likely be coming off of two losses to playoff contenders so they will be looking for a way to get back on track.
Final Score Prediction: Lions 24, Panthers 13
Subplot to watch: Both quarterbacks, Sam Darnold and Jared Goff, are trying to prove they deserve to stick around for another year with their team.
Week 17: Jan. 1 vs. Chicago Bears
This will also be the second and final matchup between these division opponents for the year with the Lions winning the previous matchup 31-30. Both of these teams have seemed to find some cornerstone players for their teams this year. For the Bears, Justin Fields appears to be the franchise quarterback they have been after for so long. For the Lions, Aidan Hutchinson and Amon-Ra St. Brown appear to be building blocks for the Lions on each side of the ball.
The outcome of this game is going to largely depend on the health of Fields. He is currently dealing with a shoulder injury that may sideline him another game this week. There is no guarantee he will be healthy for this game, and there’s a chance he gets shut down if his recovery does not progress. Regardless, the Lions have better playmakers and more talent on the roster than the Bears do. With this game being at Ford Field, the edge goes to the Lions here in a tight one.
Final Score Prediction: Lions 27, Bears 23
Subplot to watch: Can Equanimeous St. Brown (Chicago) outduel his brother Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit) in this game?
Week 18: Jan. 8 at Green Bay Packers
The last game of the season for two teams for two teams who may have nothing at stake other than pride. The Lions were not expected be a playoff twam when the season started, but the Packers had higher expectations. They sit at 4-8 right now, and their $50 million quarterback is banged up and not playing well. There are hints that as soon as Green Bay is knocked out of the playoff picture, Aaron Rodgers wil sit the rest of the season. If this is the case, and it’s easy to expect it will be, the Lions will have a very good chance to win this game.
Although the Packers have more talent across the board, they are very banged up. Over the past few seasons, the Lions have played the Packers tough and this game should be no different. Look for the Lions to hold all the motivation, and win their final game of the 2022 season.
Final Score Prediction: Lions 28, Packers 24
Subplot to watch: Lions running back Jamal Williams looking for revenge against his former team.
Final Record Prediction: 8-9
If this is how the games play out, this will be a marked improvement for a team that was 3-13-1 just last year. While head coach Dan Campbell may not be the best with strategy and play-calling, there is no doubt that he is developing an atmosphere guys on this team love to play in. With the Los Angeles Rams in disarray and the Lions owning their first-round pick, the coaching staff and front office can go for it as much as they want knowing they have already most likely own a top pick in the draft come April. This final record would display and validate the large improvement that has been visible throughout this season.