Detroit Lions vs. Jacksonville Jaguars predictions: NFL’s best vs. the worst?

Since the NFL adopted a 16-game schedule in 1978 (and went to 17 games in 2021), there have been 80 winning streaks of at least eight games in the league. The San Francisco 49ers have done it nine times. The New England Patriots, eight. Even the woeful Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday’s visitor to Ford Field, have done it once (an 11-gamer in 1999).

But not the Detroit Lions; the franchise’s longest run over that span is seven games, achieved in 1995 and then again this season.

Of course, that could change Sunday, as the 2-8 Jags arrive in town (1 p.m., CBS). Will the 8-1 Lions reach eight straight wins for the first time since the franchise’s first year in Detroit (when the Lions actually won their first 10 games)?

Four Free Press sports writers have some thoughts on their potential vs. the Jaguars.

Dave Birkett

Coaches can give all the lip service they want to this being the NFL, and not taking opponents for granted, and the other guys getting paid, too. The reality is, though, the Lions might be the best team in the NFL, and the Jaguars might be the worst.

The Jaguars have played several close games, including against the Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles the past three weeks, but they also are starting a backup quarterback and were blown out on the road by the best offense they faced (the Buffalo Bills). If the protection is there, Jared Goff should have a big day and the defense seems poised for another few takeaways in a game that should be over by the third quarter. The pick: Lions 38, Jaguars 17.

Carlos Monarrez

After going through the details of Jacksonville’s season, I figured it out. The 2-8 Jaguars stink. And that was even with Trevor Lawrence, who will miss this game. Though “miss” might be the wrong word. This will come down to how easy Dan Campbell wants to make it on owner Shad Khan to fire Doug Pederson during the upcoming bye week. Penei Sewell will catch a touchdown pass, the Lions’ defense will pick off Mac Jones three times and Pederson will get his walking papers on Monday. The pick: Lions 36, Jaguars 13

Jeff Seidel

This is one of those games where what the Lions do in trying to clean up mistakes will be more important than the final score. Because the Lions will win this game. There’s little doubt about that. But I think they will concentrate on putting together long, sustained drives, trying to get their offensive rhythm back, trying to find consistency. Which might hold down the score a little. The pick: Lions 28, Jaguars 10

Shawn Windsor

The Lions haven’t put two good offensive halves together in a while, and though Jacksonville has a good front and a feisty defense, Ben Johnson and company are keen on getting more from the offense. Here’s betting they do. Meanwhile, the defense keeps rolling and takes advantage of Trevor Lawrence’s absence. The pick: Lions 31, Jaguars 16.