Week 2 Previews and Predictions

MLive (All 3 pick the Lions to win by scores of 28-27, 30-24 and 20-17):  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/09/final-score-predictions-for-detroit-lions-vs-los-angeles-chargers.html

NFL.com Rosenthal (TOUGHEST GAME TO PREDICT: Detroit Lions 20, Chargers 17 - The Chargers are now without Hunter Henry (knee), Derwin James (foot), Russell Okung (pulmonary embolism) and Melvin Gordon (contract), yet they are still the more talented team in this matchup. That's a credit to general manager Tom Telesco, who seemingly accounts for the organization's awful injury luck.  Talent doesn't always decide outcomes, however, and there were positives to draw from Detroit coach Matt Patricia's defense last Sunday. The Lions' front seven is far deeper than it was a year ago and should create problems against the Chargers' weak offensive tackles, who collapsed as the season opener wore on. Cornerback Rashaan Melvin looks like a legit tag-team partner for Darius Slay, and rookie linebacker Jahlani Tavai is shaping up to be a multi-dimensional keeper. Patricia was with the Patriots when similarly average defenses slowed down Philip Rivers, so I'll give the home team the edge here. The final score above doesn't make any particular logical sense, but neither does a tie ruining the standings with 16 weeks left in the season.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001053896/article/nfl-week-2-game-picks-panthers-top-bucs-rams-defeat-saints

Walterfootball (Lions win 23-20):  http://walterfootball.com/nflpicks2019_02early.php

Paula Pasche Lions Lowdown (Lions win 27-24):  https://lionslowdown.com/2019/09/14/five-things-to-know-as-detroit-lions-open-home-season-against-l-a-chargers/

Freep Picks (3 pick the Lions to win by scores of 27-24, 26-23, 27-21.  1 picks the Chargers to win by a score of 28-24):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/14/detroit-lions-los-angeles-chargers-predictions-score/2315655001/

Detroit News (2 pick the Lions to win by scores of 24-20 and 27-20.  1 picks the Chargers to win 24-20):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/13/detroit-news-predictions-lions-vs-chargers/2314472001/

NFL.com Picks (2 pick the Lions by scores of 23-21, 27-24.  One picks the Chargers to win 28-17):  http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000001053551/Chargers-vs-Lions-preview-Week-2

PFT (Chargers at Lions - MDS’s take: Both teams are coming off hard-fought overtime games, but I think the Lions are going to have a tougher time regrouping after blowing a big early lead and ending up in a tie. The Chargers should improve to 2-0.  MDS’s pick: Chargers 23, Lions 17.  Florio’s take: The Chargers, as usual, are falling apart. The Lions need to build a lead and hold a lead this week. They can do it by running the ball right at the L.A. defense.  Florio’s pick: Lions 20, Chargers 17.): https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/12/pfts-week-two-picks-10/

USA Today Picks (6 pick the Chargers to win by scores of 31-26, 24-10, 30-24, 30-17, 29-23, 31-14.  One picks the Lions to win 24-23):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/09/12/usa-today-week-2-nfl-picks-predictions-browns-jets/2296453001/

CBS John Breech (Chargers win 27-20):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-2-picks-odds-saints-get-revenge-on-rams-and-refs-broncos-and-bears-play-thriller-in-denver/

CBS Prisco (Chargers (-2.5) at Lions - The Lions will be playing their home opener, which will make for a tough challenge for the Chargers. They had some defensive issues last week against the Colts. The Chargers are the better team and I think Philip Rivers will light up the Lions.  Pick: Chargers 24, Lions 20):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pete-priscos-nfl-week-2-picks-panthers-roll-over-buccaneers-packers-edge-vikings-behind-improved-defense/

CBS Bryan DeArdo (Los Angeles Chargers (0-1) at Detroit (0-0-1):  While both teams squandered big leads in Week 1, the Chargers were able to hold on for a close victory over the Indianapolis Colts behind a big game by running back Austin Ekeler (154 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns). Look for Ekeler, Philip Rivers and the rest of the Chargers to outlast a Lions team that squandered a 17-point lead to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1.   Prediction: Chargers 31, Lions 27):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/week-2-nfl-picks-one-afc-north-contender-rebounds-while-another-falls-to-0-2-antonio-brown-scores-for-patriots/

SN Vinnie Iyer's Pick (The Chargers’ offense showed its full force last week without Melvin Gordon thanks to Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. Hunter Henry is also a game-changing tight end for Philip Rivers. Matthew Stafford seems to have one, too, in rookie T.J. Hockenson. In the battle of Powder Blue vs. Honolulu Blue, it comes to which tired, post-OT defense can rebound better. Rivers and Stafford are classic fourth-quarter gunslingers, but it’s a little easier to trust LA’s pass rush and secondary in crunch time.  Chargers win 31-27 and cover the spread.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-picks-against-spread-week-2-rams-saints-eagles-falcons/e1vm7j7ciq03156i2nivezcp3

SN's Haslop (The Chargers knew they'd get a fight from a talented Colts team last week, and sure enough, Los Angeles needed overtime to reach 1-0. The Lions had no idea what to expect from the Cardinals, and even after dominating Arizona early, Detroit also was taken to overtime for an eventual tie. Both teams should expect another close game this week, because even though the Chargers are more talented overall, they're on the road for an early kickoff.  Prediction: Chargers 30, Lions 28):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-picks-week-2-vikings-packers-steelers-seahawks/e8lzqqivj1xw1cklwv96tx6v3

Foxsports (Chargers win 25-24):  https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/boxscore?id=8777&type=8

NFL RealGM (Los Angeles Chargers at Detroit Lions (+2.5): The Chargers continue to have the injury bug biting them like a cheap hotel bedbug infestation. TE Hunter Henry will miss this trip to Detroit, while WR Mike Williams is doubtful. They’re already down Derwin James, and based on his history Joey Bosa might pull something while clipping his toenails. It’s hard to have faith in the Chargers. It’s even harder to have faith in a Lions team that gave away an 18-point 4th quarter lead in Week 1 to the lowly Cardinals because the coaching staff flipped the switch from trying to win to trying not to lose.  Chargers win 24-21):  https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3174/Football-Meteorology-For-NFL-Week-2

NFL.com Cynthia's Prediction (Chargers win 24-21):   http://www.nfl.com/videos/game-theory/0ap3000001053793/Game-Theory-Week-2-win-probabilities-score-predictions

Non-Score Picks:

ESPN Picks (8 pick the Chargers.  3 pick the Lions):  http://www.espn.com/nfl/picks

CBS Picks (6 pick the Chargers, 2 pick the Lions):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/features/writers/expert/picks/straight-up/2

SI Picks (7 pick the Chargers.  1 picks the Lions):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/09/12/week-2-nfl-picks-mmqb-staff-straight

Average Score Prediction (816-753/33):  Chargers win 25-23

37 pick the Chargers to win.  21 Pick the Lions to win.