As the Detroit Lions get ready for their regular-season opener against the New Orleans Saints, the biggest questions aren’t just about Sunday. There’s still roster business to sort out, a Week 1 backup running back to identify, and plenty of debate over how much concern the Saints should actually create.
One of the clearest expectations around the two open roster spots is that the Lions will use them on players already in the building. Christian Booher believes Detroit will move some money around through contract restructures and then promote two players from its practice squad. He specifically pointed to Tom Kennedy as a likely active-roster addition, saying Kennedy should help in the return game after handling that role well when Kalif Raymond was out there last year.
Vito Chirco also sees Kennedy as part of the answer, but he expects Detroit to fill both a cornerback spot and a returner role before the season starts. In his view, Kennedy is the simplest solution at punt returner.
Emmett Matasovsky took a slightly broader view, saying the Lions should add depth where they need another body before facing New Orleans. He leaned toward the wide receiver room and linebacker room, especially if Jimmy Rolder isn’t ready for Week 1.
He added that Tom Kennedy and Joe Bachie are the best answers, though Mason Miller could also be a candidate if Detroit chooses to reinforce the offensive line.
The Saints, meanwhile, are not being treated as a team Detroit can just brush aside. Booher said New Orleans is capable of coming into Ford Field and winning, noting that Tyler Shough finished last season strongly and has some interesting weapons around him. He also said the Saints’ defense has the talent to slow down the Lions’ run game, which is why Detroit has to treat the opener seriously.
Chirco is on the other side of the prediction, but not by much. He expects the Lions to win, yet he singled out Chris Olave as a major problem for Detroit’s defensive backs. Olave is coming off a career year with 100 catches for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns, and Chirco believes that production is enough to give the Lions’ corners trouble all afternoon in Week 1.
Matasovsky said it would be irresponsible to dismiss any opponent entirely, especially in a league built on “any given Sunday.” He also pointed out that the Saints bring some unique challenges and a young core that could surprise teams.
Still, he noted that with IDL Bryan Bresee already out for the year, the Lions are expected to be heavy favorites for a reason. He also said he is glad Detroit gets the Saints early.
The running back picture behind Jahmyr Gibbs appears to be settling on Jacob Saylors for the opener. Booher thinks Saylors gets the nod against New Orleans, calling his preseason work solid and saying he has earned the chance to start the year in that role. He also noted that with Pacheco on injured reserve, Saylors could get an extended opportunity, though Detroit could look outside the organization later if needed.
Chirco also picked Saylors, saying his preseason was impressive and that he has the best shot to claim the No. 2 job with Isiah Pacheco injured. Even so, Chirco worried about whether Saylors can hold up and spell Gibbs effectively over the course of the season. Matasovsky echoed the Saylors pick, describing him as a familiar, consistent downhill runner who is closer to David Montgomery than Sione Vaki.
The bold predictions for 2026 all circled back to Gibbs. Booher thinks Gibbs can win Offensive Player of the Year and could push past 2,000 all-purpose yards if he stays healthy.
Matasovsky was even more aggressive, predicting Gibbs will top 2,250 yards from scrimmage and saying the number could wind up closer to 2,400 or 2,500. He tied that forecast to Gibbs being the full-time feature back and to Drew Petzing having gotten James Conner to 1,500 yards from scrimmage in 2024.
He also said the current state of the receiver room points toward a ground-heavy offense in Motown.
Chirco’s bold take went in a different direction. He expects Alim McNeill and the interior of the defensive line to struggle again in generating consistent quarterback pressure, but believes Derrick Moore will be a major help off the edge.
Chirco said Moore will outsnap D.J. Wonnum by Week 7, which is Detroit’s first game after the bye.
As for the full-season outlook, the three predictions landed in a fairly tight range. Booher went with 12-5, a second-place finish in the NFC North, and a Divisional Round exit.
He also said several Lions could be in the awards mix, including Gibbs, Jared Goff, and Aidan Hutchinson. Chirco was lower at 10-7, citing the offense and an easy schedule but warning that defensive issues, especially in the secondary, could cost Detroit wins.
Matasovsky chose 11-6, saying he had been off by at least three wins a year ago and wanted to stay conservative this time. He pointed to the favorable schedule but also the injury concerns already showing up before the season starts.
All three landed on the same basic idea: the Lions are built to contend, but the real test is getting there healthy enough to make the run count.
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For a Week 1 matchup, it gives Detroit a little more breathing room than it might have had otherwise, especially with the Saints still sorting through available pieces before the opener. New Orleans veteran Alvin Kamara is working through a knee injury and Cameron Jordan has a hamstring issue that could affect their status, leaving the Lions with a chance to face a shorthanded opponent right out of the gate. [Read more 🡒]