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Detroit Lions predictions vs. L.A. Chargers: Expect a tight one in southern California

dave birkett, carlos monarrez, jeff seidel and shawn windsor, detroit free press
·2 min read
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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff talks to teammates at the line of scrimmage before a play against Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.

Free Press sports writers share their predictions for the Detroit Lions' game Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers (4:05 p.m., CBS):

Dave Birkett

The Lions have played their best football in the months of November and December under Dan Campbell and seemed poised for another strong finish this year. They’re healthy coming out of the bye, and they start a favorable second half of the schedule by facing a dangerous Chargers team on a short week. There’s always some rust to shake off after a bye, though, and the Lions can’t afford a slow start against a Chargers defense that has one of the best four-man pass rushes in the NFL. Homefield advantage won’t matter in a stadium that should be packed with Lions fans, but I expect a high-scoring game given Justin Herbert’s ability and the fact the Lions have their full offensive arsenal available for the first time since Week 1, and it could be one where the team holding the ball last wins. The pick: Chargers 28, Lions 27.

LIONS VS. CHARGERS: Dave Birkett's scouting report, prediction

Carlos Monarrez

While you’re watching the Lions’ potential next offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, call the Chargers offense, Chargers owner Dean Spanos will be watching his potential next head coach, Ben Johnson, do the same for the Lions. Brandon Staley cooled his seat a bit with a blowout road win Monday night against the Jets, but a rested and healthier Lions team will be too much for the 4-4 Bolts on a short week. The pick: Lions 31, Chargers 23.

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Jeff Seidel

The Lions are starting a brutal stretch, playing three games in 11 days. On paper, they should win all three of them. Coming off a bye, the Lions should be rested and focused. But still, there are areas of concern. The biggest two? Red zone offense and defense; and we need to see improvement, in those two areas specifically, against the Chargers. The pick: Lions 28, Chargers 23.

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Shawn Windsor

The Chargers don’t have much of a fan base in L.A. and plenty of Lions fans will fill SoFi Stadium. But the Chargers do have the Pacific time zone and that makes this a road game, no matter how much Honolulu blue dots the stands. Oh, and L.A. has Herbert, and some solid skill fellas. They make one more play in the end. The pick: Chargers 29, Lions 26.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions predictions vs. L.A. Chargers: Expect tight one in SoCal