Last week, my bold predictions nearly hit the mark, missing one by just six yards and another by a single sack that Aidan Hutchinson almost secured, which led to an interception. This week, the Detroit Lions face the Baltimore Ravens in a Monday Night Football showdown. Here are my three bold predictions for the game, plus an honorable mention.
Honorable Mention: Isaac Teslaa’s Highlight Catch
Wide receiver Isaac Teslaa will make another spectacular catch, this time for over 25 yards. After his standout performances in the first two games, this prediction feels almost conservative, but his knack for big plays makes it worth mentioning.
Prediction 1: Lions’ Tight Ends Shine
Lions tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright will combine for either two touchdowns or 100 receiving yards. The Ravens’ defense has struggled against tight ends, allowing the second-most receptions in the NFL, trailing only the Arizona Cardinals, and the second-most receiving yards, just three yards behind the Carolina Panthers. Despite Baltimore’s elite defenders, like safety Kyle Hamilton and All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, the Ravens gave up 88 receiving yards to Cleveland’s tight ends Harold Fannin Jr. and David Njoku in Week 2. In Week 1, Buffalo’s Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox caught all six of their targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta and Wright have already combined for 133 yards and a touchdown through two games, making this a realistic target.
Prediction 2: Derrick Henry Held Under 50 Yards
The Lions’ defense will limit Ravens running back Derrick Henry to fewer than 50 rushing yards. Henry’s performance has been inconsistent this season. In Week 1, he racked up 169 yards and two touchdowns against Buffalo, but in Week 2, Cleveland’s stout defensive line held him to just 23 yards on 11 carries. The last time Henry was held under 25 yards was Week 15 of 2023 against Houston. While Henry has faced the Lions twice before, including a 40-yard performance, Detroit’s defensive front, led by DJ Reader and rookie Tyleik Williams, should keep him in check. Josh Jacobs managed 66 yards against Detroit but was limited to 11 yards in the first half before Green Bay shifted to a run-heavy approach. Similarly, D’Andre Swift was held to 63 yards. Henry’s rushing prop is set at 88.5 yards, so holding him below 50 would be a massive win for the Lions. Even if Henry breaks a big run, expect Detroit to contain him for most of the game, as slowing him down could be key to victory.
Prediction 3: Lions Win by Seven or More
The Lions will defeat the Ravens by at least seven points. This is a tall order, given Detroit’s 38-6 loss to Baltimore in their last meeting. However, this Lions team is different. In that 2023 matchup, Detroit was without running back David Montgomery, and wide receiver Jameson Williams was still finding his footing, playing just his second game with significant snaps. Now, Williams is a legitimate deep threat with a strong connection to quarterback Jared Goff, and Montgomery has established himself as a force. Despite some Lions fans viewing a win as expected, Detroit is a 5.5-point underdog on the road. Vegas gives +440 odds to cover a seven-point spread, meaning a $100 bet would win $440. Coming off a 50-point performance, the Lions’ offense is clicking. Under head coach Dan Campbell, Detroit has thrived in primetime, winning their last three Monday Night Football games by a combined 31 points. Expect the Lions to come prepared and pull off a statement win.