Week 4 Staff Predictions – Lions at Panthers
The Lions appeared to somewhat care for their leaky defense last week, despite giving up a high completion percentage and lots of yards to the Jets and Geno Smith. However, they did win, and it took a bunch of ridiculous catches from the Jets WRs and TEs to make it a semi-game in the Lions 31-24 win. The Lions offense scored 31 for the third straight game, and the defense was able to hold the Jets to only 24...progress!
This week the Lions get the beat-up Panthers and they are literally hurting everywhere, with the OL, WRs, and CB rooms specifically down to 2nd and 3rd options at almost all positions. Going into the game, the Panthers have the No 1 Passing game, but the No 32 rushing defense. The Lions should be able to take advantage of the Panthers porous defense line and CBs to put up similar numbers to what the Bears did in their Week 1 rout. Meanwhile, the Lions defense has a chance to get better, with Bryce Young battling a minor knee injury, 4/5ths of hi OL likely out, both No 2 and No 3 WRs out. They are down to Darren Wlaler, Chuba Hubbard and Tet McMillian as offensive weapons, so expect their offensive output to be stunted at best and the Lions defense to have a "get healthy" game.
After three weeks the top of the board is still tied with four Grey Manes at 3-0 with Chris the leader via tie breaker (2 pts) followed by Mickey (4), Dan (8) and Brent (10) point differentials, with Mike sitting at 2-1, but with a dead guess to the Lions total points through three weeks.
Another week, another prediction in lockstep for the entire staff. Some feel we will roll the injury-riddled Panthers; others think we will beat them in a close one. Either way, all of us predict a 3-1 Lions record after Week 4.
Mickey
Vegas is starting to wise up to the Lions’ high scoring affairs and the over/under is 50.5 as of now. Although the Panthers held Bijan in check a few weeks ago, that was when they could put 11 men in the box because Cooper Rush was at quarterback for the Falcons. Jared Goff is no Cooper Rush and they’ll have to give more respect than that to the Detroit passing game. The injury bug has reared its ugly head in Carolina. Jaycee Horn and Michael Jackson are both out for the Panthers meaning they will need extra help outside on the Detroit receivers. Unfortunately for them, there’s only one Devin Lloyd on the field – and even he is nursing a calf injury. The Lions should score at will. Bryce Young is among the league leaders in chunk plays over both 20 yards and also those over 40 yards. Uh oh…Stopping those is not exactly the Detroit specialty. The bright lights of a nationally televised primetime game will bring out the best in the offenses. Another shootout: Detroit 40 Carolina 27
Lions 40, Jets 27
Dan
This game on paper looked like it would be one that could get away from the Lions, even before they started out with poor defensive showings over the first few weeks. However, as Week 3 hits, the Lions defense had started to improve, and the Panthers....well the Panthers now have an OL being anchored by BJ Hunnicutt, Hawkeye Pierce, Frank Burns and Father Mulcahy and starting CBs of Radar O'Reiley and Maxwell Klinger. If you don't understand the MASH reference, let's say that team is beat up, badly. Throw the stats and rankings out the window, the Lions are likely to run roughshod over the Panthers Defense and put up over 40 pts in this one, enough to cover up for any defensive inadequacies that the Lions might show. WIth some Grey Manes in attendance, the Lions will emulate what the Bears did to this team early in the season.
Lions 41, Panthers 24
Brent
The Lions offense has shown an ability to score putting up 31 points per game. The defense showed some life last week with their first back-to-back three and outs. While we are improving at linebacker and defensive line play, the secondary remains a work in progress. I thought the Lions would pull away against the Jets but was disappointed that it was a one possession game at the end. Therefore, I am going with the philosophy of fool me once, shame on you here. Despite the significant number of injuries, somehow the Panthers keep it close. The Lions again score 31 and win 31-27.
Lions 31, Panthers 27
Mike
Week 4 has Detroit traveling down to Carolina for a Sunday Night contest. The Panthers are reeling from injuries. Both Starting CB's are out. Their 2 best Offensive Lineman are out they are hurting bad. They still have some pretty good skill players going so it is not a gimme. Meanwhile the Lions are doing ok health wise. All of this adds up to a win for the Lions
Lions: 31, Panthers 21
Chris
Back in the summer when the schedule was first released, I had the Panthers beating the Lions on Sunday Night Football. Then Carolina's injury report blew up. They're without three starting offensive linemen and two receivers, and both of their starting corners are out. That's too many holes to cover, so I'm flipping my pick.
The Lions have been getting better each week, and I'm not going against that. Especially considering they're playing a team that just lost to the Browns. Yes, the Lions have lost six straight games following a win. That streak dies in Charlotte. Detroit doesn't score 31 again but outlasts Carolina on the road under the lights.
Lions 24, Panthers 20
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