The New York Jets are on the road to take on the Detroit Lions in the Jets’ third game of the 2026 season. The Jets will be looking to get back in the win column after a heartbreaking collapse against the Green Bay Packers last week.
The last time these two teams met the Jets lost a close one, 20 – 17, but they have beaten the Lions four of the last six times they played. The Lions opened their 2026 campaign with a tight 31 -30 victory over the New Orleans Saints before dropping a 41 – 31 decision
to the Buffalo Bills last week.
Let’s make a few predictions for the game on Sunday.
- The Jets revamped run defense held the Tennessee Titans under 70 yards rushing in the season opener. They followed that up by holding the Green Bay Packers under 65 yards last week. They’ll excel again this week, holding the sublime Jahmyr Gibbs to less than 70 rushing yards.
- The Jets pass defense has done a nice job against the pass the last two weeks. That comes to an end this week. The Jets don’t have the defensive backs capable of sticking with Amon Ra St. Brown, Jameison Williams and Sam LaPorta, and Goff is deadly indoors. Goff will throw for 275+ yards and 2+ touchdowns.
- After playing mistake free football the last couple of weeks, Geno Smith is forced to be more aggressive to keep up with the high flying Lions. The results won’t be what the Jets need. Smith turns the ball over twice as the Jets lose the turnover battle for the first time this season.
- Garrett Wilson breaks out as Geno Smith takes to the air. Wilson finishes with his first 100+ yards game of the season.
- The Jets keep the game reasonably close but in the end they can’t keep up with a potent Detroit offense that puts up 30+ points for the third straight game. Jets lose to the Lions, 30 – 24.
These predictions are just for fun. Betting based on some random dude on the internet having some fun would be very poor judgment and can be hazardous to your financial health. If you choose to bet on the game, make your own calls. You can head over to our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook for all your sports betting needs.
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