The Detroit Lions have settled into the kind of start that keeps a team thinking big. At 2-1, they’re already in a solid spot, and the next four games could easily send them into their Week 6 bye at 4-1 before the schedule tightens back up.
What stands out most is how this team is winning right now. The offense is coming together under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, and the pass rush looks like it’s getting better every week. There are still real questions at cornerback over the long haul, but for now the rest of the roster is doing enough to cover that up.
That’s especially true in the first two games ahead of the bye.
Week 4 sends Detroit to Carolina, and the Panthers are dealing with a mess of injuries at exactly the wrong time. They’re without starting left guard Damien Lewis, and they’re also missing both starting cornerbacks, with wide receiver Jalen Coker potentially out as well.
That’s a major hit to both sides of the ball, not just a few depth losses. With the Lions averaging exactly 31 points per game, this one has the feel of a shootout tilted Detroit’s way.
The Lions should be able to work over Carolina’s secondary and create problems up front too, with sacks, Jared Goff doing his thing, and a steadier showing from the defense helping push them to a win.
Week 5 looks similar in one key way: another opponent with flaws Detroit can attack. Arizona has had a rough start, even if it feels like the Cardinals are inching closer to finally climbing out of the tanking tier.
Their front still has some juice - they’re fourth overall in pass rush win rate - but the rest of the picture isn’t nearly as clean. The offensive line remains shaky, and Jacoby Brissett has mostly been limited to check-down throws while the offense tries to move in small steps.
That sets up another game where Detroit’s defensive line can take over and keep the Cardinals on their heels. If the Lions’ own offensive line holds up, they should have room to exploit Arizona’s secondary.
Their biggest worry might be Jeremiah Love, but even so, the pick here is a Detroit road win and a 4-1 record going into the bye.
After that, the schedule gets more dangerous.
Week 7 brings Green Bay to Ford Field, and this one has the feel of a heavyweight NFC North matchup. Both teams could have key defenders back, with the Lions potentially getting Brian Branch and the Packers possibly welcoming Micah Parsons.
Green Bay’s offense, though, has been hard to trust. The offensive line is banged up, the quarterback has struggled to deal with the pressure, and the run game has basically disappeared.
Through three games, the Packers are averaging just 48.7 rushing yards per game. That can change, whether through a trade or better production from MarShawn Lloyd, but right now it’s a glaring weakness.
Detroit’s main test in this one may actually come against Green Bay’s defense. The Packers have a strong secondary with Keisean Nixon, Javon Bullard, Xavier McKinney, and others, and they’re giving up just 202 passing yards per game.
That could put more pressure on Jahmyr Gibbs to carry the load, especially with Green Bay ranked 28th in run stop win rate and lacking the interior strength to slow him down. Even with that challenge, the prediction here is a Lions win in what should be a loud one at Ford Field.
Week 8 is the one that could trip them up. Minnesota is the toughest matchup in this stretch, and Detroit already showed in Week 2 against Buffalo that a strong defensive front can give this offense problems.
Brian Flores’ defense has already done damage to the Lions before, and that was in a game where Minnesota had less on the line. With an NFC North title possibly hanging in the balance, the pressure figures to be even higher now.
That puts a lot on Jared Goff and the Lions’ offensive line. If they can’t handle the Vikings’ pressure, this one could get away from them fast.
Minnesota still may not have a firm answer at quarterback, but that doesn’t make the defense any less dangerous. This projects as a grind, but the edge goes to the Vikings, which would leave Detroit at 5-2 heading into Week 9.
In Other News...
Lions Suddenly Have A Devin White Problem They Didnt Expect
The Lions spent Week 3 reshuffling the middle of their defense, and Trevor Nowaske ended up with a meaningful role while Devin White watched as a healthy scratch. It was the latest reminder that Detroits linebacker spot has become one of the more fluid parts of the roster, with Dan Campbell saying the group used against the Jets could be the one the team sticks with for now.
Around Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes, the Lions are treating the position as week-to-week business, which makes the depth chart a little less settled than it looked when the season began. For White, that means the path back onto the field is anything but guaranteed, and for Detroit it means the linebacker rotation remains open to change even if the current setup holds for another game. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Dobbs Just Gave The Lions Another Viral Sideline Moment
During a recent Lions game, Josh Dobbs turned a small sideline issue into the kind of moment Detroit fans have come to expect from him. The backup quarterback noticed a coachs communication headset was getting in the way and quickly adjusted it, a sharp little fix that caught the attention of starting quarterback Jared Goff and added another clip-worthy snapshot to the Lions season.
Dobbs has built a reputation for being more than just a journeyman QB, and this was another reminder of why his nickname, The Passtronaut, fits so well. A University of Tennessee graduate with a 4.0 GPA in aerospace engineering and a background working with NASA, he has appeared in 27 NFL games across multiple teams, throwing for 3,346 yards with 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. For the Lions, moments like this only reinforce how much value he can bring beyond the box score. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Have A Week 4 Availability Concern In Key Spots
The Lions got back on the field this week with a short injury watch developing in a few important places as they prepare for Carolina. Offensive guard Ben Bartch and defensive end DJ Wonnum did not take part in the media-observed portion of practice, while cornerback D.J. Reed was limited as he works through a rib injury. It is the kind of early-week setup that can force a coaching staff to keep a close eye on both fronts, especially with roles still settling in.
Dan Campbell said Wonnum has shown steady development, which makes his status worth tracking as the week goes on. Bartchs situation is also one the team has been dealing with for a while, and Detroit will need more clarity before it can feel comfortable about the available depth in the trenches and in the secondary. The Lions have already played enough football to know availability can shape the plan in a hurry, and this week is trending toward another one of those tests. [Read more 🡒]