Detroit News predictions: Lions vs. Patriots

Justin Rogers, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News offer their predictions on the outcome of Sunday’s Lions-Patriots game at Ford Field (8:20 p.m., NBC/WJR 760).

Justin Rogers: With any other opponent, I'd argue this could be a trap prediction, where the Lions pull off the unexpected win against all odds. But not against the Patriots. Not against Tom Brady. And not against Bill Belichick. I have this as a one-score game, but deceptively so. I anticipate the Patriots jump out big in the second half and cruise to the finish line. Patriots, 30-23

John Niyo: Matt Patricia has a pretty good idea what’s coming. But so do Josh McDaniels and Tom Brady. And that’s a problem for a Lions defense that may be without its Pro Bowl cornerback, Darius Slay. Patriots, 31-27

Bob Wojnowski: Angry Patriots vs. desperate Lions looks like a mismatch, and it probably is. But there have been cracks in the New England veneer, and Tom Brady is off to a slow start. None of the numbers really add up for the Lions, including this one: Brady is 45-10 in games following a loss. To have any shot, the Lions need Ford Field to be buzzing and Matthew Stafford to be much more accurate with the deep ball. He’ll hit a couple to keep it close, but not enough. Patriots, 31-23

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