The Detroit Lions have a history of being generous guests, especially at Ford Field, but this is ridiculous: They have never beaten the New York Jets there.
Of course, the Jets have visited Ford Field just three times since the stadium opened in 2002 – in ’02, ’10 and ’18 (in a blowout in the first game of Matt Patricia’s ill-fated stint with the Lions) – but even so, that’s a weird streak, especially considering the Lions are 2-0 in the Jets’ new (since 2010) digs at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Still, this one is at Ford Field, in downtown Detroit, where the Lions’ lone win against the Jets within Detroit city limits came at Tiger Stadium on Nov. 23, 1972 – a clean
19,666 days ago. Yes, that was a Thanksgiving game, while this one comes on, well, the National Day of Forgiveness. ’Nuff said.
Will the Lions earn some forgiveness from the Ford Field faithful? Five Free Press sports writers have some thoughts on Sunday’s Week 3 matchup.
Dave Birkett
This feels like a get-right game for the Lions after six rough quarters of football. The offensive line is healthy again, and while the secondary is still a mess, the Jets don't have the firepower to expose the Lions' biggest weakness. Still, Aaron Glenn's team appears to be heading in the right direction. The Jets lead the NFL in total defense and have yet to allow more than 68 yards rushing. But the Lions dropped 52 points in their first game against their old offensive coordinator Ben Johnson last year, and I expect they'll have something similar in store for Glenn, their ex-defensive coordinator, on Sunday. The pick: Lions 35, Jets 17.
Carlos Monarrez
Somehow this is already a must-win game for the Lions in Week 3. The Jets are getting better, but they’re still bad. The Lions survived the Saints in the opener and got stomped in Buffalo. If they lose to future former Jets coach Aaron Glenn at home, with an extra three days of prep, you can expect an avalanche of criticism and doubt, and likely a lot more heat on defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. The pick: Lions 30, Jets 27 (OT).
Christian Romo
The Jets might be better than people expected this season, but it’s impossible to tell at this point if they’re good, as eye-popping as their defensive numbers look through two games. Consistency matters, though, and the unit you should trust the most in this game is the Lions offense. With this level of talent, it shouldn't surprise anyone if the Lions put up 40 points on Glenn and this Jets defense (or any defense, for that matter). Concerns about Detroit’s secondary are warranted and will probably continue until safety Brian Branch is back and looks healthy. But remember: Geno Smith is not Josh Allen. The pick: Lions 31, Jets 20.
Rainer Sabin
The sky is falling. The vultures are circling, as quarterback Jared Goff said. The fans are up in arms. The mood in the Motor City has soured since Buffalo whipped Detroit in Week 2. The Lions have absorbed the criticism that echoed following that loss and should play like a team with something to prove Sunday. The Jets, who are a tier or two below Detroit, won’t be able to deny the Lions the victory they so desperately want and need. The pick: Lions 27, Jets 20.
Jeff Seidel
Welcome back to Detroit, Aaron Glenn. Nice job against Green Bay – until it wasn’t. Things have changed around here. Ben Johnson is gone. The Lions aren’t clicking yet and right now I’m starting to doubt they ever will. You aren’t gonna recognize the Lions secondary. But oh, ya still gotta stop Jahmyr Gibbs. And that’s not happening. You won’t win this game, unless you go all Gamblin’ Dan Campbell against Dan Campbell on Sunday. The pick: Lions 24, Jets 21.
Shawn Windsor
Hard to see a runaway train at Ford Field on Sunday when the issues are numerous on both sides of the ball for Detroit. Obviously, the defense is where the fixes are needed most, but Dan Campbell hasn't wanted to let the offense off the hook. The Jets don't arrive with a high-flying offense, but they are beginning to embody their coach, Aaron Glenn, and will keep the Lions in relative check. The pick: Lions 23, Jets 16.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions picks vs Jets: A must-win game in Week 3? Yep
