Each year, ESPN uses its Football Power Index (FPI) projection system to predict the result of all 256 NFL regular-season games and this year is no different.
Our hope is that the Detroit Lions will bounce back from what was a horrendous 3-12-1 2019 season, but what does the FPI system think about their chances.
Let’s take a look.
WEEK 1 SCORES
CHIEFS vs. TEXANS |
35–7 |
FALCONS vs. SEAHAWKS |
26–6 |
RAVENS vs. BROWNS |
24–10 |
BILLS vs. JETS |
28–7 |
RAIDERS @ PANTHERS |
23–13 |
BENGALS vs. CHARGERS |
26–17 |
LIONS vs. BEARS |
17–16 |
COLTS @ JAGUARS |
34–7 |
RAMS vs. COWBOYS |
17–10 |
VIKINGS vs. PACKERS |
16–8 |
PATRIOTS vs. DOLPHINS |
37–35 |
SAINTS vs. BUCCANEERS |
30–13 |
49ERS vs. CARDINALS |
31–29 |
EAGLES @ WASHINGTON |
27–20 |
BRONCOS vs. TITANS |
23–20 |
STEELERS @ GIANTS |
41–17 |
Patrick Mahomes picks up where he left off, with a 35-7 dismantling of the Texans — including three touchdown passes — on national television to open the season. The message is clear: The Chiefs aren’t going anywhere.
WEEK 2 SCORES
BROWNS vs. BENGALS |
16–10 |
CARDINALS vs. WASHINGTON |
29–26 |
GIANTS @ BEARS |
23–20 |
COWBOYS vs. FALCONS |
24–19 |
PACKERS vs. LIONS |
38–3 |
TEXANS vs. RAVENS |
33–20 |
VIKINGS @ COLTS |
24–10 |
CHIEFS @ CHARGERS |
34–13 |
BILLS @ DOLPHINS |
17–10 |
49ERS @ JETS |
59–28 |
EAGLES vs. RAMS |
26–10 |
STEELERS vs. BRONCOS |
27–24 |
SEAHAWKS vs. PATRIOTS |
31–25 |
BUCCANEERS vs. PANTHERS |
37–35 |
TITANS vs. JAGUARS |
27–19 |
SAINTS @ RAIDERS |
45–24 |
Jimmy Garoppolo throws four touchdown passes — including the first of rookie Brandon Aiyuk’s young career — as the 49ers run circles around the Jets’ defense and win 59-28. The Niners could be trouble this season.
WEEK 3 SCORES
JAGUARS vs. DOLPHINS |
28–9 |
LIONS @ CARDINALS |
16–15 |
FALCONS vs. BEARS |
35–14 |
BILLS vs. RAMS |
34–20 |
BROWNS vs. WASHINGTON |
14–6 |
BRONCOS vs. BUCCANEERS |
20–17 |
JETS @ COLTS |
34–15 |
CHARGERS vs. PANTHERS |
22–16 |
VIKINGS vs. TITANS |
48–21 |
RAIDERS @ PATRIOTS |
31–24 |
PACKERS @ SAINTS |
23–13 |
49ERS @ GIANTS |
30–20 |
EAGLES vs. BENGALS |
32–27 |
STEELERS vs. TEXANS |
33–20 |
COWBOYS @ SEAHAWKS |
21–12 |
CHIEFS @ RAVENS |
27–24 |
After getting blown out by the Saints in Week 1 and narrowly beating the rebuilding Panthers in Week 2, the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers are beaten by Drew Lock’s Broncos 20-17. Is this Tampa Bay team really ready to make the leap into contention? Concern is creeping in.
WEEK 4 SCORES
JETS vs. BRONCOS |
19–14 |
PANTHERS vs. CARDINALS |
18–17 |
BEARS vs. COLTS |
20–16 |
BENGALS vs. JAGUARS |
18–17 |
COWBOYS vs. BROWNS |
20–19 |
LIONS vs. SAINTS |
30–15 |
VIKINGS @ TEXANS |
30–10 |
CHIEFS vs. PATRIOTS |
38–28 |
RAMS vs. GIANTS |
38–13 |
BILLS @ RAIDERS |
26–24 |
SEAHAWKS @ DOLPHINS |
48–23 |
EAGLES @ 49ERS |
42–7 |
BUCCANEERS vs. CHARGERS |
27–16 |
STEELERS @ TITANS |
31–21 |
RAVENS @ WASHINGTON |
27–7 |
PACKERS vs. FALCONS |
34–31 |
The Eagles’ statement win over San Francisco has everyone talking, but the Vikings are also quietly 4-0 after a 30-10 toppling of the Texans. Minnesota has 118 points through four games even without Stefon Diggs running routes.
WEEK 5 SCORES
BEARS vs. BUCCANEERS |
26–16 |
FALCONS vs. PANTHERS |
16–10 |
RAVENS vs. BENGALS |
49–23 |
COLTS @ BROWNS |
27–20 |
COWBOYS vs. GIANTS |
30–15 |
TEXANS vs. JAGUARS |
28–21 |
CHIEFS vs. RAIDERS |
35–7 |
PATRIOTS vs. BRONCOS |
27–24 |
CARDINALS @ JETS |
27–20 |
STEELERS vs. EAGLES |
15–10 |
49ERS vs. DOLPHINS |
51–17 |
VIKINGS @ SEAHAWKS |
24–17 |
TITANS vs. BILLS |
40–11 |
RAMS @ WASHINGTON |
27–10 |
SAINTS vs. CHARGERS |
30–10 |
It’s already Tua Time in Miami, as the Dolphins turn to their top draft pick in Week 5. Tagovailoa throws for more than 300 yards, but the 49ers’ offense rolls to a 51-17 win. Meanwhile, another rook is on deck, as Chargers coach Anthony Lynn decides to pivot from Tyrod Taylor to Justin Herbert following the team’s fourth loss in five games.
WEEK 6 SCORES
BILLS vs. CHIEFS |
25–13 |
PANTHERS vs. BEARS |
28–0 |
BRONCOS vs. DOLPHINS |
31–6 |
COLTS vs. BENGALS |
30–27 |
JAGUARS vs. LIONS |
34–21 |
JETS @ CHARGERS |
26–10 |
FALCONS @ VIKINGS |
17–3 |
WASHINGTON @ GIANTS |
31–3 |
EAGLES vs. RAVENS |
20–10 |
STEELERS vs. BROWNS |
27–10 |
RAMS @ 49ERS |
23–16 |
PACKERS @ BUCCANEERS |
14–7 |
TITANS vs. TEXANS |
37–14 |
CARDINALS @ COWBOYS |
27–10 |
One week after taking down the then-undefeated Eagles, the Steelers now become the last undefeated team. The Bills take down the 5-0 Chiefs, and the Falcons upset the 5-0 Vikings, leaving Pittsburgh — which took care of business with a 27-10 win over a floundering Browns team — as the only team left with a zero in the loss column.
WEEK 7 SCORES
GIANTS @ EAGLES |
30–28 |
SEAHAWKS @ CARDINALS |
16–14 |
FALCONS vs. LIONS |
40–20 |
RAVENS vs. STEELERS |
30–10 |
BENGALS vs. BROWNS |
26–17 |
CHIEFS @ BRONCOS |
27–6 |
TEXANS vs. PACKERS |
34–14 |
BUCCANEERS @ RAIDERS |
41–7 |
DOLPHINS vs. CHARGERS |
20–3 |
49ERS @ PATRIOTS |
29–17 |
SAINTS vs. PANTHERS |
20–12 |
BILLS @ JETS |
23–21 |
WASHINGTON vs. COWBOYS |
26–23 |
RAMS vs. BEARS |
38–20 |
The Buccaneers’ offense finally gets on the same page, blowing out the Raiders in a 41-7 win. Tom Brady spreads it around in the end zone, hitting Rob Gronkowski, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin with a touchdown apiece.
WEEK 8 SCORES
FALCONS @ PANTHERS |
20–14 |
BILLS vs. PATRIOTS |
25–20 |
SAINTS @ BEARS |
26–23 |
BENGALS vs. TITANS |
44–41 |
RAIDERS @ BROWNS |
26–10 |
LIONS vs. COLTS |
31–6 |
PACKERS vs. VIKINGS |
27–24 |
JETS @ CHIEFS |
22–17 |
CHARGERS vs. JAGUARS |
19–9 |
RAMS @ DOLPHINS |
42–21 |
EAGLES vs. COWBOYS |
30–14 |
SEAHAWKS vs. 49ERS |
37–0 |
BUCCANEERS @ GIANTS |
27–9 |
Following a rousing 44-41 victory over the Titans that included four touchdown passes from Joe Burrow, the Bengals sit at .500 halfway through the season. Are they arriving ahead of schedule? Can the rookie keep it up?
WEEK 9 SCORES
49ERS vs. PACKERS |
34–7 |
CARDINALS vs. DOLPHINS |
26–24 |
BRONCOS @ FALCONS |
23–0 |
SEAHAWKS @ BILLS |
28–24 |
STEELERS @ COWBOYS |
13–10 |
RAVENS @ COLTS |
41–16 |
TEXANS @ JAGUARS |
34–31 |
CHIEFS vs. PANTHERS |
41–20 |
CHARGERS vs. RAIDERS |
33–28 |
LIONS @ VIKINGS |
31–24 |
SAINTS @ BUCCANEERS |
34–30 |
BEARS @ TITANS |
26–10 |
GIANTS @ WASHINGTON |
34–23 |
PATRIOTS @ JETS |
37–34 |
With a 34-31 win over the Jaguars, the Texans have a .500 record and are in first place in the AFC South. Houston, you’re the best of the worst! At least for now.
WEEK 10 SCORES
TITANS vs. COLTS |
21–20 |
BILLS @ CARDINALS |
28–17 |
BUCCANEERS @ PANTHERS |
38–14 |
BROWNS vs. TEXANS |
24–17 |
WASHINGTON @ LIONS |
18–12 |
PACKERS vs. JAGUARS |
34–17 |
RAMS vs. SEAHAWKS |
35–32 |
RAIDERS vs. BRONCOS |
25–16 |
DOLPHINS vs. JETS |
24–16 |
RAVENS @ PATRIOTS |
23–20 |
SAINTS vs. 49ERS |
34–14 |
GIANTS vs. EAGLES |
19–13 |
STEELERS vs. BENGALS |
27–23 |
VIKINGS @ BEARS |
26–23 |
In a 34-14 win over San Francisco, Saints QB Drew Brees connects on 21 of 30 pass attempts, including two touchdowns, while Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray each add a score on the ground. New Orleans takes back the division lead from Atlanta.
WEEK 11 SCORES
CARDINALS @ SEAHAWKS |
24–17 |
TITANS @ RAVENS |
20–7 |
LIONS at PANTHERS |
27–27 |
EAGLES @ BROWNS |
30–7 |
CHARGERS @ BRONCOS |
22–13 |
TEXANS vs. PATRIOTS |
23–20 |
COLTS vs. PACKERS |
19–16 |
STEELERS @ JAGUARS |
37–23 |
CHIEFS @ RAIDERS |
27–13 |
COWBOYS @ VIKINGS |
45–12 |
FALCONS @ SAINTS |
29–16 |
WASHINGTON vs. BENGALS |
19–13 |
RAMS @ BUCCANEERS |
24–21 |
A tie in Carolina? That’s right. The Panthers and Lions end in a 27-all draw. As a result, Detroit remains a half-game behind in the NFC North, while Carolina’s chances to earn the No. 1 draft pick in 2021 take a hit.
WEEK 12 SCORES
COWBOYS vs. WASHINGTON |
24–14 |
LIONS vs. TEXANS |
23–19 |
RAVENS @ STEELERS |
33–14 |
FALCONS vs. RAIDERS |
31–17 |
CHARGERS @ BILLS |
34–6 |
BENGALS vs. GIANTS |
28–9 |
BRONCOS vs. SAINTS |
31–24 |
BEARS @ PACKERS |
20–16 |
COLTS vs. TITANS |
31–19 |
BROWNS @ JAGUARS |
14–13 |
49ERS @ RAMS |
40–32 |
VIKINGS vs. PANTHERS |
16–6 |
PATRIOTS vs. CARDINALS |
27–16 |
DOLPHINS @ JETS |
23–20 |
BUCCANEERS vs. CHIEFS |
35–31 |
SEAHAWKS @ EAGLES |
17–9 |
It has become clear that the Tampa Bay offense can overpower just about anyone on the right day. And this was the right day: Tom Brady throws for 291 yards and three scores against the Chiefs, besting Patrick Mahomes.
WEEK 13 SCORES
RAVENS vs. COWBOYS |
31–17 |
CARDINALS vs. RAMS |
28–14 |
SAINTS @ FALCONS |
28–17 |
BEARS vs. LIONS |
17–13 |
EAGLES @ PACKERS |
26–16 |
TEXANS vs. COLTS |
20–17 |
CHIEFS vs. BRONCOS |
23–17 |
CHARGERS vs. PATRIOTS |
30–21 |
BENGALS @ DOLPHINS |
18–12 |
JAGUARS @ VIKINGS |
37–24 |
JETS vs. RAIDERS |
24–13 |
STEELERS vs. WASHINGTON |
38–10 |
SEAHAWKS vs. GIANTS |
28–7 |
BROWNS @ TITANS |
21–13 |
49ERS vs. BILLS |
27–24 |
With seven catches and a touchdown, receiver Michael Thomas helps New Orleans to a 28-17 win over the Falcons, giving the Saints a share of the division lead. Both teams sit at 8-4, while the Buccaneers linger behind at 6-6.
WEEK 14 SCORES
RAMS vs. PATRIOTS |
19–12 |
STEELERS @ BILLS |
35–31 |
BRONCOS @ PANTHERS |
23–10 |
TEXANS @ BEARS |
16–3 |
COWBOYS @ BENGALS |
29–24 |
LIONS vs. PACKERS |
23–20 |
TITANS @ JAGUARS |
34–31 |
FALCONS @ CHARGERS |
33–30 |
COLTS @ RAIDERS |
37–16 |
CHIEFS @ DOLPHINS |
30–17 |
GIANTS vs. CARDINALS |
25–21 |
EAGLES vs. SAINTS |
23–10 |
49ERS vs. WASHINGTON |
42–17 |
SEAHAWKS vs. JETS |
27–17 |
BUCCANEERS vs. VIKINGS |
29–23 |
RAVENS @ BROWNS |
41–16 |
We got two division clinches! The 8-5 Bills fall in Week 14 to Pittsburgh, but losses from the Pats and Jets give them the AFC East. And in the AFC West, the 10-3 Chiefs repeat as champs. Kansas City steamrolled through its division, as no other team is even at .500.
WEEK 15 SCORES
CHARGERS @ RAIDERS |
24–20 |
CARDINALS vs. EAGLES |
20–16 |
BUCCANEERS @ FALCONS |
30–24 |
RAVENS vs. JAGUARS |
24–10 |
COWBOYS vs. 49ERS |
31–17 |
BILLS @ BRONCOS |
19–17 |
PACKERS vs. PANTHERS |
48–3 |
COLTS vs. TEXANS |
20–17 |
RAMS vs. JETS |
22–7 |
DOLPHINS vs. PATRIOTS |
21–19 |
VIKINGS vs. BEARS |
17–6 |
SAINTS vs. CHIEFS |
23–17 |
GIANTS vs. BROWNS |
27–20 |
TITANS vs. LIONS |
16–10 |
SEAHAWKS @ WASHINGTON |
27–20 |
BENGALS vs. STEELERS |
23–20 |
Seattle is on a four-game win streak and is perhaps back in the NFC West mix. Russell Wilson totals 238 passing yards in this week’s matchup with Washington and throws two more TDs to give him seven during the winning streak.
WEEK 16 SCORES
VIKINGS @ SAINTS |
27–10 |
49ERS @ CARDINALS |
41–16 |
RAVENS vs. GIANTS |
38–10 |
COWBOYS vs. EAGLES |
17–10 |
BUCCANEERS @ LIONS |
27–9 |
TITANS @ PACKERS |
28–17 |
TEXANS vs. BENGALS |
38–35 |
BEARS @ JAGUARS |
28–6 |
CHIEFS vs. FALCONS |
24–10 |
BRONCOS @ CHARGERS |
22–13 |
RAIDERS vs. DOLPHINS |
40–20 |
BROWNS @ JETS |
27–11 |
STEELERS vs. COLTS |
22–20 |
RAMS @ SEAHAWKS |
30–27 |
PANTHERS @ WASHINGTON |
35–32 |
BILLS @ PATRIOTS |
22–17 |
Dallas is hot. The 9-6 Cowboys have won four in a row, including this week’s 17-10 victory over the Eagles. Ezekiel Elliott rumbles for 81 yards and a score, helping the Cowboys level up with Philly in the NFC East.
WEEK 17 SCORES
BILLS vs. DOLPHINS |
16–6 |
SAINTS @ PANTHERS |
37–3 |
BEARS vs. PACKERS |
25–16 |
BROWNS vs. STEELERS |
23–10 |
RAVENS @ BENGALS |
37–3 |
BRONCOS vs. RAIDERS |
16–13 |
VIKINGS @ LIONS |
48–25 |
TEXANS vs. TITANS |
27–20 |
COLTS vs. JAGUARS |
9–7 |
CHARGERS @ CHIEFS |
35–28 |
CARDINALS @ RAMS |
27–3 |
PATRIOTS vs. JETS |
28–7 |
GIANTS vs. COWBOYS |
20–13 |
EAGLES vs. WASHINGTON |
34–17 |
49ERS vs. SEAHAWKS |
19–13 |
BUCCANEERS vs. FALCONS |
55–31 |
The NFC South was deadlocked in a three-way tie entering Week 17, but the Saints win the division at 10-6 when they beat Carolina 37-3. The Bucs, meanwhile, end the Falcons’ season with a huge 55-31 win in the final matchup. Tom Brady’s four-TD outing puts Tampa Bay in a wild-card spot.
AFC FINAL STANDINGS
NORTH |
W |
L |
T |
RAVENS |
12 |
4 |
0 |
STEELERS |
12 |
4 |
0 |
BENGALS |
7 |
9 |
0 |
BROWNS |
7 |
9 |
0 |
SOUTH |
W |
L |
T |
TEXANS |
9 |
7 |
0 |
COLTS |
8 |
8 |
0 |
TITANS |
8 |
8 |
0 |
JAGUARS |
3 |
13 |
0 |
EAST |
W |
L |
T |
BILLS |
11 |
5 |
0 |
JETS |
5 |
11 |
0 |
PATRIOTS |
5 |
11 |
0 |
DOLPHINS |
4 |
12 |
0 |
WEST |
W |
L |
T |
CHIEFS |
11 |
5 |
0 |
CHARGERS |
8 |
8 |
0 |
BRONCOS |
8 |
8 |
0 |
RAIDERS |
5 |
11 |
0 |
NFC FINAL STANDINGS
NORTH |
W |
L |
T |
VIKINGS |
10 |
6 |
0 |
LIONS |
7 |
8 |
1 |
BEARS |
7 |
9 |
0 |
PACKERS |
7 |
9 |
0 |
SOUTH |
W |
L |
T |
SAINTS |
10 |
6 |
0 |
BUCCANEERS |
10 |
6 |
0 |
FALCONS |
9 |
7 |
0 |
PANTHERS |
3 |
12 |
1 |
EAST |
W |
L |
T |
EAGLES |
10 |
6 |
0 |
COWBOYS |
9 |
7 |
0 |
GIANTS |
7 |
9 |
0 |
WASHINGTON |
4 |
12 |
0 |
WEST |
W |
L |
T |
49ERS |
11 |
5 |
0 |
RAMS |
11 |
5 |
0 |
SEAHAWKS |
9 |
7 |
0 |
CARDINALS |
8 |
8 |
0 |
As you can see, ESPN’s FPI system has the Detroit Lions finishing the 2020 season with a 7-8-1 record. Nation, would you be satisfied with this record?