Detroit Lions predictions vs. Los Angeles Rams: New-look DBs vs. LA passing — who you got?

Free Press sports writers are back to share their Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Rams game predictions for Sunday Night Football (8:20 p.m., NBC and Peacock ) in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.

Dave Birkett

The Lions have one of the best rosters in the NFL and an incredible homefield advantage that should be on full display Sunday, but this is still a tricky draw. The Rams took the Lions to the wire last year and have a dangerous offense that will challenge a secondary that hasn’t played many snaps together even in practice.

Matthew Stafford will be out for blood after losing to his old team last year, so it’s imperative the Lions get off the field when they have the chance on third down. They should be able to get pressure against L.A.’s shorthanded offensive line, and they should be able to put up points with all their playmakers healthy on offense. I think this will be another nailbiter, but I expect St. Brown to have a big day and the Lions to start the season off right. The pick: Lions 28, Rams 23.

SCOUTING THE GAME: No more Aaron Donald in the middle

Carlos Monarrez

The Lions should win this game, but Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay have had eight months to plan their revenge against a reworked but unproven Lions defense. No Aaron Donald for the Rams is balanced by no Kelly Stafford in attendance . Let’s see how much Dan Campbell trusts rookie Jake Bates’ big leg . The pick: Rams 28, Lions 26.

Jeff Seidel

Welcome back, Matthew Staf — “JA-RED GOFF!” OK, come on people. The game hasn’t even started yet and all you hear is — “JA-RED GOFF!” Yes, this game is gonna be wild. Crazy loud . Super intense. With that obvious storyline: Did you know Stafford was childhood friends with Clayton — “JA-RED GOFF!” Yes, it’s finally here. The start of a season everybody has been looking forward to since, oh, that ugly loss in San Francisco. The Lions have more talent than last year, more experience, so get ready for a wild ride. “JA-RED GOFF!” The pick: Lions 31, Rams 27.

Watch Lions vs. Rams live on Peacock

Shawn Windsor

Matthew Stafford gets his revenge on opening night in Detroit. Though he would never call it "revenge," and he'll never admit he wanted it even if he named it. Los Angeles is a lowkey Super Bowl contender. The Lions are so many pundits' Super Bowl favorites. It'll take a game or two for the Lions to find their footing under all this new glare. The pick: Rams 29, Lions 27.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions predictions vs. Los Angeles Rams: New-look DBs vs. LA passing — who you got?