The Detroit Lions (8-5) will head to SoFi Stadium this Sunday to face the surging Los Angeles Rams (10-3) for the fourth time since the 2021 trade that saw both teams swap starting quarterbacks.
A lot is on stake for both ballclubs in the pivotal Week 15 matchup. For the Rams, it will officially clinch them a playoff berth, regardless of how the rest of the season pans out for them.
As for the Lions, a win drastically improves their chances to make the playoffs for a third straight year, and it will only have them half a game behind the Rams.
Here are score predictions for Detroit’s road matchup with the Commanders from MLive’s beat writers:
Ben Raven
Despite all of the parity around the NFL this season, the Los Angeles Rams have been the team that have most often made me think, “Yeah, they’re probably going to win it all.” Matthew Stafford is tracking for his first MVP win, and he’s clicking on scary levels with Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. LA is so much more than just a high-powered offense, though, and they have been running the ball even better recently with some personnel changes to go heavy. Detroit’s offense should be able to pass the ball. But there are some concerns about the ground game. LA just doesn’t seem to give up explosive runs. I’m not out on the Lions.
I still feel in the pit of my stomach that this is a playoff team. That window is still open with a loss here. But that secondary is banged up and needs a week to figure out how to replace Brian Branch and all the roles he handles. That’s a tough draw heading into this trip. Stafford is throwing downfield pretty much better than anybody, and the Lions have already been struggling in that regard.
Prediction: Rams 35, Lions 31
Kory Woods
With the Lions down three key starters in the secondary, my confidence that in defense slowing down Matthew Stafford and the red-hot Rams offense is very low. Stafford is dealing, playing some of the best football of his career, and has carved up defenses with the assistance of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, both who are at the top of the leaderboard in receiving yards and touchdowns, respectively. The Rams also have some playmakers on defense, with Jared Verse being one of them. Verse has went back-to-back games without a sack. Against a weakened Lions offensive line, that could change on Sunday.
The Lions’ offense under Dan Campbell’s playcalling has finally stabilized. Because of that, I believe they will be able to match the Rams’ firepower. But defensively, both teams are trending in a different direction. I feel the Lions can win this game, but the probability of it is unlikely.
Prediction: Rams 31, Lions 24
Pick: Rams (majority)
“When I took Dallas over Detroit last week, I did so with the expectation Amon-Ra St. Brown wouldn’t be suiting up. So when the Lions announced their inactives shortly before kickoff, and No. 14 wasn’t one of them, I was immediately filled with regret. With St. Brown on the field, I figured the Lions’ quick passing attack would carve up the Cowboys’ zone. And did it ever. Fast-forward one week, and Detroit, still in the thick of the NFC playoff race, now faces another zone-heavy defense that, as the Next Gen data reveals, actually runs zone at the exact same rate as Dallas (80.6%). But unlike the Cowboys, who struggled to move Jared Goff off his spot, the Rams have one of the best pressure groups in the league. Can Jared Verse and Byron Young get to Goff quickly enough, and frequently enough, to disrupt the veteran’s ability to pick apart their defense? I’m not sure, which is why I’m still predicting a solid offensive outing from Detroit. (Well, that and Jahmyr Gibbs, obviously.) What gives me pause about the Lions, then, is how their defensive tendencies match up with the Rams’ hyper-efficient offense.
“No team has run man coverage at a higher rate this year than Detroit, and no QB has a better TD-to-INT ratio against man looks than Matthew Stafford (21-1). Unless the Lions’ pass rush can consistently win up front, their aggressiveness on the perimeter (despite multiple injuries in their secondary) could come back to bite them. Just as a second straight pick against the Lions could come back to bite me. With this win, L.A. becomes the first NFC team to clinch a playoff berth this season.”
Pick: Rams (majority)
“Talk about a get-right game for L.A. last week. The Rams thumped the hapless Arizona Cardinals, 45-17, following their shocking loss to the Carolina Panthers. Now, Matthew Stafford gets his former team — who he actually has a losing record against. Most bettors probably think this line is too large, but this Lions defense is down several starters — including the Pro Bowler Brian Branch, who just tore his Achilles. The Lions are 7-6 ATS compared to the Rams’ 9-4 ATS record. It may be a sweat in the fourth quarter, but I’ll actually lay the points with the favorites”
Prediction: Rams 28, Lions 21
Pick: Rams
“The key for both teams will be the running game. Jahmyr Gibbs (5.7 yards per carry) and Kyren Williams (4.9 yards per carry) can control a high-stakes game like this. Turnovers also will be huge. The Rams are 4-1 S/U at home this season, and three of those games have been one-score victories.”
Prediction: Rams 28, Lions 24
Pick: Rams
“This has the makings of an instant classic. The Lions have overcome a lot but face a Rams team playing at the NFL’s highest level, with a defensive front that’s disrupting everything and Matthew Stafford operating with surgical precision. Detroit won’t run it the way they have on others, and Rams have the one-two punch of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
Prediction: Rams 27, Lions 20″
Pick: Lions
“Jared Goff vs Matthew Stafford. Dan Campbell vs Sean McVay. This game could have it all. That includes a lot of scoring. Detroit needs it more. It will find a way to get the upset on the road.”
Pick: Lions (majority)