Free Press sports columnists make their predictions on how many wins the Detroit Lions manage in 2022, and whether they’ll qualify for the NFL playoffs:
Carlos Monarrez: 6-11
The reason: In Year 2 of the rebuild, the Lions will make modest progress under a new offensive coordinator and a defense that will be better up front but highly suspect in the back seven.
Lions’ MVP: DJ Chark
Lions’ leading rusher: D’Andre Swift
Lions’ leading receiver: DJ Chark
Jared Goff TD/INTs: 22/9
CARLOS MONARREZ:Don’t expect too much from Lions in Year 2 of Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes rebuild
Where Lions’ offense will rank: 16th
Where Lions’ defense will rank: 25th
NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, L.A. Rams
NFC wild cards: Dallas, San Francisco, New Orleans
NFC title game: Green Bay over L.A. Rams
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, L.A. Chargers
AFC wild cards: Kansas City, Baltimore, Denver
AFC title game: Buffalo over L.A. Chargers
Super Bowl: Buffalo over Green Bay
DAVE BIRKETT:Predicting Detroit Lions’ 2022 record: Will they challenge for NFL playoff wild card?
Jeff Seidel: 7-10
The reason: Brad Holmes is improving the roster and Dan Campbell is the right guy for this team. But it has finished in last place in the division four straight years. To expect a significant jump off a draft and minimal free-agent pickups doesn’t seem realistic. We will see improvement but not a massive jump.
Lions’ MVP: Jared Goff
Lions’ leading rusher: D’Andre Swift
Lions’ leading receiver: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Jared Goff TD/INTs: 22/10
Where Lions’ offense will rank: 17th
Where Lions’ defense will rank: 25th
NFC division winners: L.A. Rams, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia
NFC wild cards: New Orleans, Arizona, Minnesota
NFC title game: Green Bay over L.A. Rams
AFC division winners: Kansas City, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Buffalo
AFC wild cards: Denver, L.A. Chargers, Cincinnati
AFC title game: Buffalo over Kansas City
Super Bowl: Buffalo over Green Bay
NFL POWER RANKINGS:Defending champs up top, Lions in middle tier
MORE FROM SEIDEL:Tigers’ disastrous 2022 dragging down hopes for Lions, Michigan, MSU
Shawn Windsor: 9-8
The reason: The offense, led by Jared Goff, and improved receivers and D’Andre Swift and the offensive line and the tight end — and, well, how about everyone! — should be good enough to squeak this team to .500. The defense will give up points but pressure the QB just enough.
Lions’ MVP: Jared Goff
Lions’ leading rusher: Swift
Lions’ leading receiver: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Jared Goff TD/INTs: 26/10
Where Lions’ offense will rank: 11th
Where Lions’ defense will rank: 22nd
MORE FROM WINDSOR:Part of Jared Goff was missing for a while. He and the Lions think they’ve found it
NFC division winners: Dallas, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, San Francisco
NFC wild cards: L.A. Rams, Minnesota, Philadelphia
NFC title game: Tampa Bay over San Francisco
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City
AFC wild cards: Tennessee, Denver New England
AFC title game: Buffalo over Kansas City
Super Bowl: Buffalo over Tampa Bay