The Detroit Lions’ wild ride continues on Christmas Eve. Over the past two months, they’ve played some of the best football games we’ve seen in this franchise in several years, and now what seemed like a losing season going 1-6 is about to have one of Detroit’s most magical seasons yet Lions.
Unfortunately, that 1-6 record dug them into a hole where a playoff run requires near-perfection the rest of the way. So far, the Lions have delivered just that: near perfection. A 6-1 run has now put them in a position where if they win the final three games of the season they will almost certainly make the playoffs. Even a 2-1 track record still gives them a chance to get dancing.
This three-game stretch begins Saturday against a Carolina Panthers team also battling for a playoff spot. At 5-9, they don’t look much like a playoff team, but with the NFC South leaders Tampa Bay Buccaneers down 6-8, there’s a possibility the Panthers will sneak in.
The Lions are easy 2.5-point favorites this week, but what do our staff think?
Here are our predictions for the Lions vs. Panthers in a crucial week 16 matchup:
Kelly Rowe (12-2): 31-24 lions
Jerry Mallory (10-4): 27-20 lions
Hamza Baccouche (10-4): 27-17 lions
Ryan Mathews (9-5): 28-17 lions
Morgan Cannon (9-5): 27-21 lions
Jeremy Reisman (9-5): 31-24 lions
John Whiticar (9-5): 29-20 lions
Eric Schlitt (9-5): 31-21 lions
Kyle Yost (8-6): 21-20 lions
Mike Payton (8-6): 28-24 lions
Alex Reno (7-7): lions win
Chris Perfett (0-0-14): 20-20 draw
You can see all of our week 16 picks here.
Now it’s time for you to make your choice. Vote in the poll below who you think will win and share your point prediction in the comments section below.