Pride of Detroit
After a rocky start to the NFL season, the Detroit Lions are expected to get back on track against another NFC North rival this Sunday.
According to score predictions across multiple sports media sites, it appears most NFL writers and analysts believe the Lions will take the Chicago Bears to the cleaners in Detroit’s home opener this weekend.
Here’s a batch of picks and score predictions, along with some thoughts behind those picks.
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco: Lions 30, Bears 17
“The Bears are on the road off a short week against the Lions coming off a road loss. The Lions didn’t look good in the loss to the Packers, but now they can get the offense going against a Bears defense that collapsed in the fourth quarter against the Vikings. The Lions win it.”
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio: Lions 27, Bears 23, Chris Simms’s: Lions 24, Bears 17
“From 15-2 in the 2024 regular season to 0-2 between the 2024 postseason and Week 1. The Lions are experiencing the growing pains of a team that is learning how to be a winner.”
Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff: Lions 31, Bears 23
“The Lions did not look like the Lions of last season in their Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers, including only rushing for 46 yards. They will look more like Detroit in Detroit.”
Sporting News’ Bill Bender: Lions 31, Bears 22
“Chicago coach Ben Johnson – the Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2022-24 – makes a quick return to Ford Field. The Lions need to turn up the pressure here on Caleb Williams, and they will at home. Look for Jahymr Gibbs and David Montgomery to bounce back, too.”
Additionally, NFL.com editors Ali Bhanpuri, Tom Blair, Brooke Cersosimo, Gennaro Filice and Dan Parr chose the Lions across the board, as did USA Today’s Jarrett Bell, Nick Brinkerhoff, Chris Bumbaca, Nate Davis, Tyler Dragon, and Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz, and so did 11 analysts at ESPN.
I haven’t seen a Bears over Lions pick yet, let me know if you do.
And onto the rest of your notes.
Over on his podcast, Amon-Ra St. Brown said he’s absolutely stoked to have Ben Johnson back at Ford Field, and plans to greet him the same way as any other opponent.
If you love a good overreaction, writers over at A to Z Sports offer a fresh batch for the NFC North.
Meanwhile, someone who isn’t overreacting to the Lions’ loss to the Packers:
Griffin Claw Brewing Company has released limited-edition Mr. Honolulu BlueSky cans, a Lions-themed version of its American wheat ale Mr. BlueSky.
A small change to the kickoff rule led to a big increase in kickoff returns in the first week of the season — the highest rate in any week since 2010.
