Last weekend, when the Detroit Lions faced the Baltimore Ravens on the road, NFL critics across the country had doubts about whether the NFC North division leaders could come out on top. Unfortunately, their doubts were proven right. The Ravens convincingly defeated the Lions with a score of 38-6, bringing an end to Detroit’s previously flawless road streak this season.
The good news, though, if you’re a Lions fan is that things are looking better for Detroit going into Week 8 at Ford Field.
The Lions will be hosting the Las Vegas Raiders in the upcoming Monday Night Football game. It’s an exciting match as the Raiders haven’t played in Detroit since Nov. 22, 2015. Back then, Detroit secured a narrow victory with an 18-13 win. Now, NFC critics are eagerly anticipating a similar outcome for this upcoming game.
The Raiders are currently experiencing a period of uncertainty, with questions surrounding their head coach, Josh McDaniels, and his future with the team. Additionally, there is some ambiguity about who will be starting at quarterback on Monday. To complicate matters further, it seems that a few of their wide receivers are unhappy. On the other hand, the Lions are determined and ready to bounce back after their recent loss to the Ravens. They have emerged as the clear favorites to secure a victory on Monday, which could potentially bring their record to 6-2 as they head into their bye week.
Here’s my predication. Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions received a reality check last week, just like the Raiders who suffered a crushing defeat against rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent and the struggling Bears. It remains uncertain whether Jimmy Garoppolo will be able to play due to a back injury. After witnessing Brian Hoyer’s disappointing performance last week, there is a chance that Aidan O’Connell might start the game as the quarterback. Regardless of who takes the field, it won’t make a difference. Detroit is the superior team on both offense and defense. Additionally, the Lions have been scoring an impressive average of 31 points per game at home this season, while the Raiders have only managed to reach the 20-point mark once (in a 21-17 victory over New England in Week 6). This game has all the signs of being a redemption opportunity for Detroit.
Check out the full NFL Week 8 schedule here.