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2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 16

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL Picks: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass during the fourth quarter in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NFL Picks: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass during the fourth quarter in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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NFL Picks; Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammates during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Lions (7-7) at Carolina Panthers (5-9)

Saturday, December 24, 1:00 PM ET

If the NFL season ended today, the Detroit Lions would not be one of the seven NFC teams going to the playoffs. That would be a crying shame. The Lions have been exactly as Dan Campbell once famously promised they would be — they have been tough, they have been scrappy, they have been biting knees all the way back to a .500 record here with three games left to play in the 2022 season.

The Lions started this season 1-6 and have won six of their last seven games with the only loss being a back-and-forth game on Thanksgiving against the Buffalo Bills in Detroit. It’s crazy to think how quickly the Lions have become one of the most relevant teams in the NFC despite having the 31st-ranked scoring defense in the NFL.

Their most recent victory was a hard-fought game against a very well-coached Robert Saleh-led Jets team. The Jets have been tough for teams to get by all year long thanks to Saleh and his defense, and the Lions were able to come up big in a clutch moment on Sunday to get to 7-7.

Now, they have to go on the road to take on the Carolina Panthers, who are shockingly just a game out of their own division right now at 5-9. The NFC South is in shambles at the moment and the Buccaneers are currently leading that division at 6-8. Imagine how horrendous it would be if one of those teams sneaks in but not a team like the Lions.

The Lions boast one of the NFL’s best offenses this season and one of if not the best offensive line in the game. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is going to get some head coach looks this circuit with the way he’s turned that group around in such short order, and Jared Goff has perhaps inspired some confidence that he can be the guy to lead this franchise going forward.

Detroit can’t afford any traps at this stage of the season. The Panthers play tough defensively and they’re playing at home. The Lions are only 3-point favorites in this game which shows the hesitancy of Vegas to put all their chips in the middle on Dan Campbell’s squad.

Ultimately, I think the Lions — and their improved defense — will win this one and improve to 8-7.

Prediction: Lions win 24-18

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