Erik Schlitt and Jeremy Reisman once again make their game-by-game projections for the upcoming Detroit Lions season.
The Detroit Lions 2024 schedule has been released and it’s once again time to make some way-too-early predictions for the season.
For the last two seasons, Erik Schlitt and Jeremy Reisman have made game-by-game predictions of the Lions’ schedule. And while their individual game predictions have not always been spot on, the overall season accuracy has been near perfect. In 2022, Erik correctly projected the Lions to finish 9-8, while Jeremy was just off with an 8-9 prediction . Then, in 2023, both guys correctly predicted the Lions to finish 12-5 .
So what are we predicting for 2024?
Here are our game-by-game predictions for the upcoming season.
Week 1: Lions vs. Rams on SNF
Jeremy: I can already hear the Jared Goff chants coming again. Originally, I thought this would be the opportunity to welcome Matthew Stafford back with a nice video package and a round of applause from Lions fans. But that ain’t happening in Week 1 on primetime. And Stafford’s job will only be harder against a revamped Lions secondary. Lions win (1-0).
Erik: Rams fans really, really wanted this game to happen in Week 1 but they better be careful what they wish for. Historically, I have been nervous for opening weekends, but after knocking off the Chiefs in Arrowhead in Week 1 last, I have full confidence that coach Dan Campbell has the ingredients for the secret sauce and will have the team ready to roll. Lions win (1-0).
Week 2: Lions vs. Buccaneers
Erik: After facing last year’s Wild Card opponent in Week 1, why not take on last year’s Divisional Round opponent in Week 2? The Bucs lost a handful of key starters from last year’s team, and while they replaced them with quality players, it’s fair to argue they downgraded at a few positions that could benefit the Lions. Lions win (2-0).
Jeremy: If you can’t beat them (twice), join them: The Carlton Davis story. Lions win (2-0).
Week 3: Lions at Cardinals
Jeremy: I believe the Cardinals are finally headed in the right direction, but coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons, they’re not in the Lions’ class. Lions win (3-0).
Erik: The Cardinals are still rebuilding and while they added some quality players in the draft, the rest of their offseason left me wanting more. This is the only road game over the first five weeks of the season for the Lions and I expect them to be prepared against a weaker opponent. Lions win (3-0).
Week 4: Lions vs. Seahawks on MNF
Erik: The Seahawks have had the Lions number of late, beating Detroit in their last six meetings dating back to 2015, including games in each of the previous three seasons. The Lions ended a lot of streaks last season (playoff wins, etc) and it’s time for another to end—this time in primetime. Lions win (4-0).
Jeremy: As awesome as it would be to reach the bye week undefeated, the Seahawks are just a damn thorn in this team’s side. I’d argue a hyped-up Ford Field could push Detroit over the edge this year, but last year they lost to Seattle at home after Detroit’s season-opening win against the Chiefs. Seattle hands the Lions their first loss for the second straight year. Lions lose (3-1).
Week 5: BYE
Jeremy: Early byes: bad for NFL teams, good for beat writers who want to spend time outdoors while the weather is nice.
Erik: I hate early season bye weeks—both personally and professionally—but I expect the Lions to fully maximize this early break by preparing for some revenge.
Week 6: Lions at Cowboys
Erik: While the blame for last year’s loss in Dallas can be fully placed on referee Brad Allen, I expect the Lions to take out their frustrations by overwhelming a Cowboys team that may be overhyped. Lions win (5-0).
Jeremy: The Lions will outplay the Cowboys. They’ll outgain them by 300 yards and win the turnover battle. It won’t be enough to overcome the home cookin’. Lions lose (3-2).
Week 7: Lions at Vikings
Jeremy: While I like the Vikings’ draft (aside from the outrageous trade-up price they paid), they’re a distant fourth in the division, in my opinion. They still have a bunch of work to do on defense, so I expect another shootout win for Detroit. Lions win (4-2).
Erik: The Vikings made some pretty big changes at some very key positions this offseason, including quarterback, running back, and edge rusher. It’s difficult to know exactly where they’ll land with new talent cohesion, but this could be a letdown game after a hot start full of revenge. Lions lose (5-1).
Week 8: Lions vs. Titans
Erik: This is a get-right game for the Lions, who will want to reestablish themselves as one of the top teams in the NFC. This feels a bit like the Raiders game from last season where the Lions use this matchup to make a statement. Lions win (6-1).
Jeremy: I think the Titans, who finished 6-11, are the worst team on Detroit’s schedule. There’s always a chance for a letdown game here, but this is the only home game in a stretch of five, so Detroit better take care of business. Lions win (5-2).
Week 9: Lions at Packers
Jeremy: This game is being played in early November, so it’s not likely to be a super cold game (it’s at 4:25 p.m. ET, though). Detroit has won two in a row in Lambeau, buuuuuuuuut I think this is the year Green Bay holds onto their home-field advantage—unless their “gold-package” fans sell all their tickets to Lions fans again . Lions lose (5-3).
Erik: After beating the Packers in each of the last two games at Lambeau, the Packers may want this game a bit more this time around. It’s gonna be close, but I think the Lions could find themselves in trouble here against an evolving young team. Lions lose (6-2).
Week 10: Lions at Texans on SNF
Erik: The fourth road game in the last five weeks could be a problem for the Lions, and the Texans are one of the most fun, up-and-coming teams in the NFL. But after two losses in the last three weeks, the Lions are going to enter Texas wanting to make a statement on the bigs stage. I expect this to be one of just a few games the Lions may not be favored in, but I also expect them to be at their best and come away with a victory. Lions win (7-2).
Jeremy: This could be the team’s biggest test of the entire season. The Texans’ offense is ridiculous, and we’ll truly see just how improved Detroit’s secondary is. While I’m optimistic the Lions will be much better defensively, C.J. Stroud is an entirely different beast. Lions lose (5-4).
Week 11: Lions vs. Jaguars
Jeremy: The Jaguars took a step back last year, but I wouldn’t overlook them in 2024. They finished 9-8, but only after an epic collapse (lost five of their last six). This will be a battle, but Detroit comes out on top. Lions win (6-4).
Erik: If this game was in Jacksonville, I think it would present the Lions with a much bigger challenge, but under the comfy confines of Ford Field, I expect the crowd to play a factor late in the game and help the Lions come out on top. Lions win (8-2).
Week 12: Lions at Colts
Erik: The Colts are a bit of a mystery to me but I’m not sold they did enough this season to get themselves out of the middle of the pack. Look for the Lions to capitalize on some early mistakes from the Colts offense, then take advantage of the indoor dome stadium to unleash their offense. Lions win (9-2).
Jeremy: Anthony Richardson could certainly be a problem in 2024, especially given Detroit’s struggles with mobile quarterbacks. Richardson had four rushing TDs in the four games he played last year. But Indy had one of the worst defenses in the league last year. Lions win (7-4).
Week 13: Lions vs. Bears on Thanksgiving Day
Jeremy: The Thanksgiving losing streak finally comes to an end, after Matt Eberflus makes some sort of dumb late-game decision. Lions win (8-4).
Erik: Caleb Williams makes his debut in Detroit on Thanksgiving but I’m not confident the Bears coaching staff will put him in a situation where he can make this a close game. The Lions’ losing streak on Turkey Day comes to an end. Lions win (10-2).
Week 14: Lions vs. Packers on TNF
Erik: After letting one slip through their fingers at Lambeau, the Lions have something to prove at home on “Thursday Night Football.” The Lions show up on the big stage once again. Lions win (11-2).
Jeremy: Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it. PACKERS ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT FORD FIELD, WHAT COULD GO WRONG . For the love of god, don’t click that. Packers take the lead late, only for Jake Bates to kick a record-setting 67-yard game-winner for Detroit. Lions win (9-4).
Week 15: Lions vs. Bills
Jeremy: Call me crazy, but I think the Bills’ window has passed. I think Josh Allen is ridiculously good but look at everyone they lost his offseason: Stefon Diggs, Leonard Floyd, Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde, and Jordan Poyer. The last time the Bills were in Detroit, the Lions nearly beat them. Now the Lions are better and the Bills are clearly worse. Lions win (10-4).
Erik: The Bills have indeed shed a lot of talent this past offseason but they still match up well with the Lions. While I agree with Jeremy that their window to win may have passed, I think they do just enough to cause the Lions to stumble. Lions lose (11-3).
Week 16: Lions at Bears
Erik: At this stage of the season, I’m not sure if the Bears will be still working to correct errors or watching their coaching staff implode. Either way, the Lions go into a freezing Soldier Field and push Da Bears around. Lions win (12-3), clinch NFC North for second year.
Jeremy: Please move out of Chicago. Soldier Field is an embarrassment of a football field and the Lions always seem to struggle there. By now, Caleb Williams may have found his footing, too. Lions lose (10-5).
Week 17: Lions at 49ers on MNF
Jeremy: I was hoping this game would be earlier into the season so Detroit could really lean into the revenge game narrative. But we’ll be talking playoffs and seeding at this point. A west-coast trip this late in the season is not ideal—particularly having to then play in Week 18 on a short week. Bad schedule break. Lions lose (10-6).
Erik: With potential playoff seeding on the line, the Lions travel back to the place where they held last year’s NFC Championship game in the last “Monday Night Football” game of the regular season. Unfortunately, the Lions aren’t able to shake their bad luck in San Francisco, and they come up short in another close game. Lions lose (12-4).
Week 18: Lions vs. Vikings
Erik: This game is going to mean a lot more for the Lions than the Vikings at this stage of the season. Look for the Lions to show the rest of the NFC who the Kings of the North are again, as they prepare to host another playoff game at Ford Field. Lions win (13-4), lock up No. 2 seed.
Jeremy: For the second straight year, the Lions will finish at home against the Vikings. This time, it’s going to matter a bit more, as I think Detroit will need this game to win the division. They’ll get the job done, as the Vikings will be playing for draft position. Lions win (11-6) and clinch the NFC North again.