As snow blankets Detroit and the season turns cold, the Lions find themselves fighting to keep their playoff hopes from freezing over. But in a year defined by resilience, there’s still room for a bold, late-season surge.
As snow drifts down on a quiet winter Sunday afternoon, it feels like the perfect moment to cook up something warm for the hearts, and hopes of Detroit Lions fans. At 7-5, the Lions sit on the outside looking in at the NFC playoff picture. But with plenty of football still ahead, there’s room for bold expectations. Here are three predictions—with one goal in mind: Detroit returning to the postseason.
Bold Prediction No. 1: The Lions Win Out
Yes, you read that correctly. The Lions won’t lose another game and will surge into prime playoff position.
Detroit hosts Dallas next week, and coming off a loss is exactly where this Lions team tends to thrive. Recent history shows the Lions usually bounce back immediately after a defeat. Detroit dominated Dallas last season, and they’re capable of doing it again, especially behind the explosive play of running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
After that, the Lions head west for a showdown with the Los Angeles Rams, one of the NFL’s top teams. It won’t be an easy task, but Dan Campbell owns a 2-1 record against L.A., and Detroit has repeatedly shown it can rattle Matthew Stafford. I expect the Lions to catch the Rams off guard once again, winning the battle of physicality and preparation.
Next come the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers. Neither matchup is intimidating. Rodgers continues to deal with a nagging wrist injury and is clearly showing his age. If safety Kerby Joseph returns to the lineup, Detroit should be heavily favored in that game.
The final stretch features back-to-back road games against the Vikings and Bears. The trip to Minnesota is a benefit for quarterback Jared Goff, who thrives in dome conditions. After falling to the Vikings earlier this season, Detroit will be motivated to prove that loss was a fluke.
The regular-season finale at Chicago brings an intriguing subplot: Dan Campbell versus his former assistant Ben Johnson. The Bears may be 9-3 and feeling confident, but Campbell knows Johnson’s tendencies better than anyone. I expect the Lions to outcoach and outmuscle Chicago when it matters most.
If this prediction plays out, Detroit finishes 12-5—more than enough to secure a playoff berth and potentially steal the NFC North if the Packers or Bears slip.
Bold Prediction No. 2: Jameson Williams Emerges as the NFL’s Best No. 2 WR
Jameson Williams is coming off a career performance in a game Detroit played without star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. That outing may be the turning point Lions fans have been waiting for.
Williams is poised to take over as a consistent weapon in the offense. With St. Brown battling injuries, Williams will likely have one or two more games where he becomes Jared Goff’s top option.
Campbell appears to be expanding Williams’ role beyond deep routes and gadget plays. Williams tied his total of three 100-yard games from last season in just 12 games this year. In his last five games with at least one reception, he is averaging 96.6 receiving yards. The formula is simple: give him the ball, and he delivers.
Bold Prediction No. 3: The Pass Rush Wakes Up
Detroit’s pass rush has been uncharacteristically quiet, collecting just two sacks in the last three games and four over the last four. That’s a stark contrast to the first eight weeks of the season, when the Lions ranked among the league’s top five in sacks.
Aidan Hutchinson has recorded only 2.5 sacks in his last six games and has faced growing criticism. Getting Marcus Davenport back to full health will help, though it won’t fix everything. Al-Quadin Muhammad, who started the season strong, has also gone quiet, but he remains a candidate for a late-season resurgence.
With the playoffs essentially on the line each week, the urgency should ignite Detroit’s defensive front. Expect a more aggressive, energized pass rush over the final stretch.
The Lions have work to do, but the path is there. If these bold predictions come to life, Detroit won’t just sneak into the postseason—they’ll storm in with momentum.