Detroit Lions predictions 2017: Week 6 at New Orleans Saints

The Detroit Jock City writers make their predictions for the Detroit Lions’ week six road game against the New Orleans Saints.

Each week, the Detroit Jock City staff will make their picks for that week’s Detroit Lions game with a quick take on the matchup and a final score.

Last week saw Mike Rizzo take his first loss of the season as the Carolina Panthers left Ford Field with the win. However, much of the rest of the field, including the closes competitors, also took losses so they didn’t pick up any ground. Matt Snyder joined the big group at 2-3 by being the lone prognosticator to pick a Lions loss.

Here is what the DJC staff sees for this week’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

Mike Rizzo (4-1) – The Detroit Lions look to rebound after last Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. They travel to New Orleans today to face the Saints. Even with a banged up Stafford I don’t have a lot of worry about this game. This is a game that on paper the Lions should win and I think will win. This isn’t the same Saints team as years past. Brees is getting older and I think this will be a comfortable win for the Lions. Lions 31, Saints 13

Bruce Walker (3-2) – Well, about the only thing that I was correct about last week was that Jarrad Davis would help the Lions run defense. Holding the Panthers to 28 yards rushing would be impressive if Cam Newton had not passed for 355 yards and three touchdowns! That game exposed a number of weaknesses that the Panthers expertly exploited. Can the Lions identify and strengthen those flaws this week?

The Lions are back in their more familiar role against the New Orleans Saints as underdogs. The Saints are winless at home this year and are fresh off a bye. The Lions have owned the Saints the past three years with two of those wins at the Superdome. Last year it was their most convincing win (If only that actually mattered). This year will be different. The Lions will not lose this game if they truly are relevant and expecting to be a contender in the post season. To that end, I expect that the Lions will find a little offense, run the ball well to protect Matthew Stafford and rebound with a win on the road. Lions 21, Saints 17

Jack Ozark (3-2) – Matthew Stafford isn’t 100%, the Lions have looked rough the past two weeks, and I don’t care. I’m going Lions this week. They need this win to prove they actually are for real. Usually, the Lions would lose a game that matters so much to them. I don’t think this team is anything like the old teams though. I think the defense bounces back this week causing at least two turnovers. And offensively, I think that the Lions finally get it all working. It’s going to be a high scoring affair for the Lions, and I can’t wait to see that. Lions 34, Saints 17

Zack Caldwell (2-3) – After all the positive hoopla going into week 5, it quickly disapaited. The Lions have issues at wide receiver and offensive line, along with heavy criticism of the offensive play calling and play design. This is a good week to get the offense back on track. The Lions have more talent on offense than the Saints do on defense. Stafford is hurting, so it’s time for the Lions to pick him up for once. The biggest question for me is if New Orleans converts in the red zone. If the Lions force field goals, they should have this. Lions 31, Saints 23

Zac Snyder (2-3) – With Matthew Stafford off his game the last couple weeks, it’s hard to have overwhelming confidence in the Lions offense heading into a road game. Perhaps more concerning is that the Lions defense has succeeded when forcing turnovers, but showed what happens last week when they don’t. Unfortunately, the Saints have yet to turnover the ball this season. Saints 26, Lions 20

Colton Wesley (2-3) – This will be the fourth season in the row the Lions have played the Saints and the third in row in which they’ve played them at the Superdome. The Lions won all of those matchups and I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t win again on Sunday. The Saints have little in the way of pass defense and as long as Matthew Stafford can play, the Lions should have little trouble moving the ball. The Saints can score as well, though, so the Lions’ defense will need to come up with one big stop, I think, to win this game. Lions 27, Saints 24

Matt Bosko (2-3) – No pick

Matt Snyder (2-3) – The Detroit Lions are in the middle of their most challenging stretch of the season with Panthers, Saints, Steelers, and Packers in consecutive games. How they meet this challenge will go a long way toward deciding their postseason fate. They weren’t able to meet it last week in a home loss to the Panthers and now face something like a must-win on the road in New Orleans. Unfortunately, I see the Lions coming up just short once again. Saints 27, Lions 24

Ash Thompson (1-4) – No pick

Next: Check the report - week 6

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