September 11, 2022

2022 Detroit Lions: DSN’s staff predictions

Lions News Reports

We are less than an hour away from the start of the Detroit Lions 2022 season and it’s time to see how our staff thinks the good guys will fare.

DSN’s Staff Predictions for 2022 Detroit Lions

Matt Bassin: 6-11
The reason: Secondary is abysmal, LB’s not much better, D-line can’t win us that many games. O-line can’t stay healthy, RBs aren’t that good and neither is Goff. Just not enough yet but getting there.
Lions’ MVP: Jared Goff (I guess)
Lions’ leading rusher: D’Andre Swift
Lions’ leading receiver: DJ Chark
Jared Goff TD/INTs: 32/16
Where Lions’ offense will rank: 17th
Where Lions’ defense will rank: 27th
NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, L.A. Rams
NFC wild cards: San Francisco, New Orleans, Minnesota
NFC title game: Tampa Bay over LA
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Cincy, Tennessee, LA Chargers
AFC wild cards: KC, Baltimore, Indianapolis
AFC title game: Buffalo over Kansas City
Super Bowl: Tampa Bay over Buffalo

A.J. Reilly: 6-11
The reason: There’s a lot of hype around this team and for somewhat good reasons. However, this isn’t a speedboat, it’s a cruise liner and those don’t turn quickly. Doubling their wins from last season seems like a good mark, and some of the “cupcakes” on their schedule (I.e. the Eagles) aren’t actually cupcakes.
Lions’ MVP: D’Andre Swift
Lions’ leading rusher: D’Andre Swift
Lions’ leading receiver: D.J. Chark
Jared Goff TD/INTs: 27/9
Where Lions’ offense will rank: 14th
Where Lions’ defense will rank: 26th
NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, L.A. Rams
NFC wild cards: San Francisco, New Orleans, Green Bay
NFC title game: San Fran over Minnesota
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Baltimore, Denver
AFC wild cards: Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Kansas City
AFC title game: Buffalo over Denver
Super Bowl: Buffalo over Denver

Michael Whitaker: 7-10
The reason: While there will be improvements, there are still too many areas of concern to realistically expect a playoff spot.
Lions’ MVP: Jared Goff
Lions’ leading rusher: D’Andre Swift
Lions’ leading receiver: DJ Chark
Jared Goff TD/INTs: 27/15
Where Lions’ offense will rank: 16th
Where Lions’ defense will rank: 25th
NFC division winners: Dallas, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, L.A. Rams
NFC wild cards: New Orleans, Philadelphia, Minnesota
NFC title game: Tampa Bay over San Francisco
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City
AFC wild cards: Los Angeles, Denver, Tennessee
AFC title game: Kansas City wins rematch over Buffalo
Super Bowl: Tampa Bay over Kansas City

W.G. Brady: 10-7
The reason: Easy schedule, Jared Goff’s second year of the offense, and an improved defense.
Lions’ MVP: Jared Goff
Lions’ leading rusher: D’Andre Swift
Lions’ leading receiver: DJ Chark
Jared Goff TD/INTs: 30/10
Where Lions’ offense will rank: 13th
Where Lions’ defense will rank: 25th
NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, L.A. Rams
NFC wild cards: New Orleans, Philadelphia, Detroit
NFC title game: Tampa Bay over Philadelphia
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City
AFC wild cards: Los Angeles, Denver, Tennessee
AFC title game: Buffalo over Kansas City
Super Bowl: Buffalo over Tampa Bay

Tejas Bedi: 7-10
The reason: Lions’ defense takes a jump to respectable and the offense is much more dangerous with added receiving talent. But, the Lions can’t quite over the hump as Goff can’t make enough plays.
Lions’ MVP: D’Andre Swift
Lions’ leading rusher: D’Andre Swift
Lions’ leading receiver: Amon-Ra St Brown
Jared Goff TD/INTs: 27/14
Where Lions’ offense will rank: 9th
Where Lions’ defense will rank: 25th
NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, 49ers
NFC wild cards: LA Rams, New Orleans, Minnesota
NFC title game: LA rams over Green Bay
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Kansas City
AFC wild cards: Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Jaguars
AFC title game: Kansas City over Buffalo
Super Bowl: KC over LA

Ryan Griffin: 5-12
The Reason: Jared Goff stinks and the defense is even worse
Lions’ MVP: Swift
Lions’ leading rusher: Swift
Lions’ leading receiver: Amon Ra St Brown
Jared Goff TD/INTs: 28/16
Where the Lions’ offense will rank: 18th
Where the Lions’ defense will rank: 29th
NFC Division Winners: Philly, green bay, Tampa, San Francisco
NFC Wild Cards: Rams, Vikings, Saints
NFC Title Game: Eagles over Packers
AFC Division Winners: Buffalo, Baltimore, Kansas City, Indianapolis
AFC Wild Cards: Chargers, dolphins, Bengals
AFC Title Game: Chiefs over Ravens
Super Bowl: Chiefs over Eagles

Jeff Bilbrey: 5-12
The reason: The hype train is strong, but the Lions are one more year out of a 500+ season, 2 from playoff contention.
Lions’ MVP: D’Andre Swift
Lions’ leading rusher: D’Andre Swift
Lions’ leading receiver: Amon-Ra St Brown
Jared Goff TD/INTs: 21/13
Where Lions’ offense will rank: 20th
Where Lions’ defense will rank: 30th
NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, 49ers
NFC wild cards: LA Rams, Carolina, Minnesota
NFC title game: Philadelphia over Tampa Bay
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City
AFC wild cards: Denver, Chargers, Cardinals
AFC title game: Buffalo over Denver
Super Bowl: Buffalo over Philadelphia

Don Drysdale: 10-7

The reason: Not only do the Detroit Lions have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL but their overall roster is much better than a year ago. Jared Goff is going to surprise a lot of people and the defense will do just enough.

Lions’ MVP: Jared Goff

Lions’ leading rusher: D’Andre Swift

Lions’ leading receiver: T.J. Hockenson

Jared Goff TD/INTs: 30/13

Where Lions’ offense will rank: 12th

Where Lions’ defense will rank: 24th

NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, L.A. Rams

NFC wild cards: San Francisco, New Orleans, Detroit

NFC title game: Tampa Bay over L.A. Rams

AFC division winners: Buffalo, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Kansas City

AFC wild cards: Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Tennessee

AFC title game: Buffalo over Kansas City

Super Bowl: Tampa Bay over Buffalo

Philadelphia Eagles will be too much for Detroit Lions

Nation, feel free to copy and paste and put your predictions in the comment section on this page or on Facebook. Let’s go, Detroit Lions!!!

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W.G. Brady is a Detroit-based journalist who has been covering the Detroit sports scene for Detroit Sports Nation for several years. He is in his early 30s and has a wealth of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, W.G. has established himself as a respected and knowledgeable journalist known for his in-depth coverage of the teams and athletes in Detroit. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for sports, W.G. has become a go-to source for fans and readers looking for the latest news and analysis on the Detroit sports scene. He has a good reputation in the sports community and is respected for his unbiased coverage of sports events. W.G. is known for his ability to uncover hidden stories and provide unique perspectives on the teams and athletes he covers. He has a good understanding of the city of Detroit and its sports culture, which he uses to inform his reporting and analysis. He continues to be a respected journalist in the Detroit sports industry.