As the Lions gear up for a crucial home matchup, it’s time to get bold. With explosive players, a high-flying offense, and a defense looking to make a statement, these three predictions could have Detroit fans celebrating in a major way before turkey day.
It’s that time again. The Lions are rolling, and with each game, the opportunities for bold predictions seem to be there for the taking. As Detroit gears up for a pivotal home matchup against the New York Giants, I’m confident that these three predictions will not only come true — but they’ll give Lions fans plenty to cheer about as they head into the Thanksgiving stretch.
Jahmyr Gibbs Rushes for 100 Yards
To some, a 100-yard rushing game might not seem bold for a player like Jahmyr Gibbs, especially considering he just posted 142 yards two weeks ago. But with his rushing line set at 73.5 yards, I’m calling this one a bold prediction. Gibbs has only hit the 100-yard mark twice this season, but the matchup against the Giants’ defense makes this a prime opportunity for him to hit that milestone again.
The Giants are giving up a league-worst 149.9 rushing yards per game, ranking second in the NFL for most rush yards allowed. The absence of Kayvon Thibodeaux, their star edge rusher, only amplifies the opportunity. Thibodeaux is known for setting the edge and limiting explosive runs, and without him, Gibbs should have more chances to break outside for big gains. If the Lions lean on the run game as they’ve done in recent weeks, especially with a 12.5-point spread in their favor, Gibbs could see a lot of touches late in the game.
The Giants have already allowed four running backs to rush for 100+ yards this season and eight others to eclipse 80 yards. With Gibbs averaging over 5 yards per carry, he could hit the century mark with as few as 15 rush attempts. Look for Detroit to take control early and rely heavily on the run game, especially with the Giants’ defense struggling against mobile backs.
Lions Win by 20+ Points
The spread may be set at -12.5, but I’m expecting a blowout in Detroit’s favor. In four of Detroit’s six wins this season, they’ve won by at least 20 points. In their three home victories, the average margin of victory has been an eye-popping 23.3 points. While the Lions will be without star tight end Sam LaPorta, this could open the door for increased touches for Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs, two players who can score from anywhere on the field.
Meanwhile, the Giants are starting Jameis Winston at quarterback. Winston is known for his turnover issues — particularly throwing pick-sixes. A defensive touchdown could go a long way toward helping this prediction come true, and while the Lions have yet to score a defensive touchdown this season, they do have eight interceptions. This means they’ll have plenty of chances to take one back for six.
After a disappointing loss in their most recent home game, I expect the Lions to come out fired up. Dan Campbell’s squad is always tough at Ford Field, and with an extra chip on their shoulder, they should easily cover the spread and cruise to a dominant win.
One Lions Player Records Three Touchdowns
Here’s another bold one: one Lions player will score three touchdowns in this game. This has happened twice already this season — once by Amon-Ra St. Brown and once by Jahmyr Gibbs. Both times, the Lions won in dominant fashion: St. Brown against Washington and Gibbs against Chicago. So why not again?
St. Brown is coming off his worst game of the season, and I expect him and Jared Goff to come out with something to prove. The two have developed incredible chemistry, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they connect for multiple scores. But don’t count out David Montgomery. The bruising back has already shown he’s capable of scoring three touchdowns in a single game, and the way the Giants struggle to stop the run, this could be his chance for a big day.
Of course, there’s always the chance for a surprise breakout performance. Shane Zylstra, the backup tight end, caught three touchdowns from Goff last season. Or perhaps Jamison Williams, with his skyrocketing usage over the past month, will have his breakout game and make a serious push for three touchdowns.
Either way, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Detroit has a player go off in a major way.
Conclusion: Bold Predictions for a Big Win
Three bold predictions, and while they might sound crazy to some, I’m confident these outcomes are within reach. If these predictions hit, the Lions will be flying high heading into their Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Green Bay Packers. After all, a dominant win here sets the tone for a strong finish to the season — and the Lions are more than capable of making these bold predictions a reality.
Let’s see if Detroit can live up to the hype and prove just how dangerous they are heading into one of the biggest stretches of the year.