2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 5
Detroit Lions (1-3) at New England Patriots (1-3)
Sunday, October 9, 1:00 PM ET
It feels weird to say this, but I will say it anyway — it’s a bit surprising that both of these teams are 1-3 heading into Week 5 action. The New England Patriots were a playoff team a year ago, but that felt like more of a mirage than something that was bound to continue year after year given how much the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and even New York Jets have improved in the AFC East. With that being said, 1-3 to start the year? A Bill Belichick-coached team?
Not exactly unprecedented, but the Patriots are declining quicker than I anticipated. Now, they may be heading into this particular home game with Bailey Zappe at the quarterback position with Mac Jones nursing an ankle injury and Brian Hoyer being taken out of the game on Sunday due to concussion protocol. Despite the fact that both Hoyer and Zappe had to play against the Packers, the Patriots took Aaron Rodgers and company to overtime with strong defensive play and a balanced running game.
Detroit is a high-octane offense but they will give up points defensively as well. It feels weird to call Detroit the former, but they are exactly that. They are one of the NFL’s best offenses through four weeks, and it doesn’t even matter what their personnel is out there. They scored over 40 points against Seattle without D’Andre Swift or Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Jared Goff is actually kind of killing it right now with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in the first four games of the year. If he has his weapons back against New England, can the Lions go into Foxboro and get a win? The Patriots can’t let this game get to a shootout, because they’ll lose in that case.
Prediction: Lions win 31-17