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2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 15

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL picks; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) leads his team onto the field before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
NFL picks; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) leads his team onto the field before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL picks: Penei Sewell #58 of the Detroit Lions catches the ball in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions (6-7) at New York Jets (7-6)

Sunday, December 18, 1:00 PM ET

The Detroit Lions are just about everyone’s honorary favorite NFL team in 2022. At the very least, the Lions have become one of the most interesting teams in the NFL this season, and it all started with an exceptional and aggressive offseason in 2022.

The Lions became even more beloved on HBO’s Hard Knocks and the NFL world has been loving the fact that this team is slowly (but surely) rising from the ashes.

Detroit Lions 2022 offensive numbers

  • 26.8 points per game (5th in NFL)
  • 7th in passing yards
  • 11th in rushing yards
  • 9th in 3rd down conversion rate
  • 1st in Red Zone conversion rate

That’s right — the Detroit Lions are the NFL’s best red zone offense in 2022.

If that doesn’t get Ben Johnson some head coach looks in the offseason, I don’t know what will. Detroit’s ascent as an offensive juggernaut is nothing short of shocking or miraculous. We’ll see what happens this coming weekend when the league’s best red zone attack meets Robert Saleh’s 5th-ranked scoring defense.

How many pass interference penalties will Sauce Gardner get away with this week?

All kidding aside, the addition of Gardner to the Jets’ defense has been humongous and it’s had a reciprocal effect on other players in that unit. Saleh has that group playing well every week, regardless of what the offense is able to do in support.

This game is shaping up to be one of the most interesting of the week. I think picking the Lions is extremely en-vogue bordering on cliché at this point but thinking about this game, I’m having a really tough time coming up with any reason to pick the Jets. They are playing at home, they are somewhat “due”, but Mike White is banged up and Detroit’s offense can beat you in a variety of ways.

Prediction: Lions win 27-20

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