Detroit Lions, repeat NFC North champs? Predictions, playoff picks for 2024 NFL season
Why Detroit Lion Giovanni Manu’s first NFL game was so special
Detroit Lion Giovanni Manu played in his first NFL game in August 2024. That game was special because it was a chance to make his parents proud.
The 2024 NFL season is already two games old — the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens kicked off the campaign on Thursday night, and the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles brought Brazil into the NFL-hosting fold on Friday night but it’s not too late to take an advance look at what’s in store this season.
Will the Detroit Lions repeat as NFC North champions? Three of four Free Press sports writers like their chances — although you’ll never guess who the naysayer is — and all four have them making the playoffs with a double-digit win total. Here’s what else our writers are predicting for the upcoming season:
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Dave Birkett’s Lions and NFL predictions
Lions record: 12-5.
Here’s why: I picked the Lions to win 12 games again this year, to come out on top of what I think is the NFL’s best division and to end their season on the league’s grandest stage in a game some believed they’d never make — the Super Bowl. Still, I’m going with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to win it all for an unprecedented third straight time. But the Lions will drive a stake through the 49ers’ heart this year and emerge as the class of the NFC.
Jared Goff’s passing numbers: 4,315 yards, 28 TD, 10 INTs.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s receiving numbers: 131 catches, 1,494 yards, 8 TDs.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ rushing numbers: 201 carries, 1,034 yards, 6 TDs.
Aidan Hutchinson sacks: 12.
NFC North predicted records: Lions 12-5, Packers 11-6, Bears 9-8, Vikings 5-12.
NFC division winners: Lions, Eagles, 49ers, Saints.
NFC wild cards: Packers, Cowboys, Bears.
NFC title game: Lions over Packers.
AFC division winners: Bengals, Bills, Chiefs, Texans.
AFC wild cards: Jaguars, Ravens, Jets.
AFC title game: Chiefs over Texans.
Super Bowl: Chiefs over Lions.
Carlos Monarrez’s Lions and NFL predictions
Lions record: 11-6.
Here’s why: The NFC isn’t great, but the Lions have the third-hardest schedule in the conference. However, the Packers have the NFC’s hardest schedule. The Lions will split with Green Bay, beat Chicago on Thanksgiving and repeat as division champs for the first time since 1954.
Jared Goff’s passing numbers: 4,675 yards, 30 TD, 11 INTs.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s receiving numbers: 140 catches, 1,612 yards, 11 TDs.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ rushing numbers: 190 carries, 991 yards, 10 TDs.
Aidan Hutchinson sacks: 12.
NFC North prediction: Lions 11-6, Packers 10-5, Bears 8-9, Vikings 7-10.
NFC division winners: Lions, Cowboys, 49ers, Falcons.
NFC wild cards: Eagles, Packers, Rams.
NFC title game: Eagles over 49ers.
AFC division winners: Bengals, Bills, Chiefs, Texans.
AFC wild cards: Jaguars, Browns, Jets.
AFC title game: Chiefs over Texans.
Super Bowl: Chiefs over Eagles.
Jeff Seidel’s Lions and NFL predictions
Lions record: 13-4.
Here’s why: I can find seven or eight games the Lions could lose — the NFC North is gonna be tough. But this team is built for this moment. They have an improved defense, a loaded offense and experience from 2023. Get homefield through the playoffs and this season turns Super. This is the Lions’ moment.
Jared Goff’s passing numbers: 4,600 yards, 31 TD, 11 INTs.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s receiving numbers: 125 catches, 1,620 yards, 11 TDs.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ rushing numbers: 190 carries, 1,100 yards, 8 TDs.
Aidan Hutchinson sacks: 13.
NFC North prediction: Lions 13-4, Packers 11-6, Bears 9-8, Vikings 4-13.
NFC division winners: Lions, Cowboys, 49ers, Falcons.
NFC wild cards: Packers, Eagles, Rams.
NFC title game: Lions over 49ers.
AFC division winners: Bengals, Dolphins, Chiefs, Texans.
AFC wild cards: Chargers, Ravens, Jets.
AFC title game: Bengals over Chiefs.
Super Bowl: Lions over Bengals.
Shawn Windsor’s Lions and NFL predictions
Record: 11-6.
Here’s why: The schedule is tough. The division is tougher. And as improved as parts of the roster are, the defense is leaning on a couple of recently injured linemen up front, and the offensive line lacks depth. When everything is humming, and everyone is healthy, this team is as good as anyone. That may happen in the playoffs. But the regular season is a slog.
Jared Goff’s passing numbers: 4,425 yards, 32 TD, 11 INTs.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s receiving numbers: 122 catches, 1,558 yards, 12 TDs.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ rushing numbers: 195 carries, 1,014 yards, 9 TDs.
Aidan Hutchinson sacks: 13.
NFC North prediction: Packers 12-5, Lions 11-6, Bears 8-9, Vikings 5-12.
NFC division winners: Packers, Cowboys, 49ers, Saints.
NFC wild cards: Lions, Eagles, Rams.
NFC title game: Lions over Packers.
AFC division winners: Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, Texans.
AFC wild cards: Chargers, Bengals, Jets.
AFC title game: Chiefs over Texans.
Super Bowl: Chiefs over Lions.
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