Saturday, September 12, 2026

Week 1 Lions Predictions

NFL Week 1 predictions by Microsoft Copilot AI for every game (Detroit Lions 35, New Orleans Saints 20 - AI's take: This is one of the "easiest picks of the week," in Copilot's view. It believes the Lions are "a legitimate Super Bowl contender" and that their offensive and depth advantages over the Saints should give them a strong edge at home.  Our take: It's hard to disagree with Copilot's logic here, as the Lions have a well-built, explosive offense that should serve them well. However, the Saints should be better than most anticipate after going 5-4 down the stretch of the 2025 season with Tyler Shough starting. With that in mind, New Orleans should keep this game closer than Copilot is projecting, even if Detroit remains likely to come out on top.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/09/06/nfl-week-1-ai-picks-predictions-2026/91594590007/

Arizona Republic Cluff (New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions, 10 a.m., FOX (stream with FUBO) - This Lions team is kind of flying under the radar in preseason Super Bowl odds, but Jared Goff and company still have firepower on offense, as the Saints will find out.  Prediction: Lions 33, Saints 20):  https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/09/03/nfl-week-1-picks-predictions-projections-game-scores/90786340007/

SN Iyer (Saints at Lions (-7, 49.5 o/u) - Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox.  The Saints' offense will come in confident to start Kellen Moore's second season with Tyler Shough building on his rookie finishing momentum. Travis Etienne sparking the running game and being an outlet receiver will help plenty. The Lions' defense is a work in progress again around Aidan Hutchinson and Jared Goff is adjusting to a new offense. Detroit finds enough pop with Jahmyr Gibbs to win a dome team battle.  Pick: Lions win 24-20 but fail to cover the spread.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-picks-predictions-against-spread-week-1/79858f64007e8ab7ad1b1a01

SN Bender (New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (-6.5) Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox  - The Saints are a trendy pick to win the NFC South. It's a tough out on the road, and the Lions were 1-3 ATS when favored between seven to 10 points last season. Second-year coach Kellen Moore will have a game plan that keeps it close in the first half, but the Lions will squeak out a late cover on a TD run by Jahmyr Gibbs – who averaged 6.3 yards per carry with 9 TDs at half last season.   Pick: Lions 31, Saints 21):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-picks-predictions-week-1/6da43321d693306b024c53d1


Pro Picks: Seahawks will edge Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch to kick off the NFL season (NEW ORLEANS at DETROIT - Line: Lions minus 6 1/2.  Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Lions have too much offense for the Saints, who had a promising finish last season but lost a few key players in training camp.  LIONS: 30-20):  https://apnews.com/article/nfl-week-1-picks-seahawks-patriots-8c5ba50ee1cd61132efcce79e060031f

CBS Sullivan (Saints at Lions - Projected score: Lions 33, Saints 21):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-1-odds-picks-best-bets-sullivan/

CBS Prisco (New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (-7) - Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo -- try for free).  The Saints and second-year quarterback Tyler Shough will be an improved team this season, but this is a tough way to open. The Lions have a dynamic offense and the venue will make it a challenge. Look for Jared Goff and the Detroit offense to have a big day. The Saints won't keep up. Lions big.  Pick: Lions 33, Saints 21):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/priscos-week-1-nfl-picks/

PFT’s Florio Week 1 2026 NFL picks (Saints at Lions - Lions coach Dan Campbell believes the team’s Super Bowl window is still open. They have the talent to justify his faith. Now, they just have to prove it. A strong Week 1 start against a sneaky-good Saints team will help set the tone.  Much of it hinges on new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. With running back Jahmyr Gibbs now the centerpiece of the offense, it becomes much easier for any offensive coach to look like Bill Walsh.  Lions 34, Saints 24.):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-1-2026-nfl-picks


NFL RealGM (New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (-7): Last year, the Lions laid a giant egg in Week 1 in Green Bay. They were unprepared and dropped a game that ultimately cost them a playoff berth. Head coach Dan Campbell has brought that up several times this offseason. In other words, don’t expect a repeat--certainly not against a Saints team that will be without first-rounder Jordyn Tyson and top DL Bryan Bresee on relatively short notice. Lions 33, Saints 21):  https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3707/Football-Meteorology-For-NFL-Week-1

NFL Week 1 picks: Upset and score predictions, matchup breakdowns for every game (All 5 pick the Lions to win by scores of 30-16, 32-22, 42-24, 31-19, 34-23):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-picks-week-1-2026-nfl-season

NFL Week 1 picks & predictions: Broncos spoil Patrick Mahomes’ return (New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (1 p.m., Fox) - This matchup has the potential to be one of the most exciting in Week 1 with two high-powered offenses. The Saints are hoping for more excellent production out of Tyler Shough despite rookie WR Jordyn Tyson’s absence.  Meanwhile, the Lions boast an elite offense with Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Expect both teams to score lots of points this season. Pick: Lions 34, Saints 24):  https://www.thebiglead.com/nfl-week-1-picks-predictions-broncos-crush-chiefs-mnf/

Our guide to every remaining Week 1 NFL game: Matchup previews, predictions and what to watch (Maldonado's pick: Lions 31, Saints 17.  Moody's pick: Lions 33, Saints 20.  Walder's pick: Lions 27, Saints 13):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49805531/week-1-picks-predictions-schedule-fantasy-odds-2026

Lions-Saints Week 1 score predictions from MLive’s beat writers (All 3 pick the Lions to win by scores of 27-20, 27-17, 31-17):  https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lions-saints-week-1-score-121402493.html

NOLA Saints at Lions: Our staff makes its predictions for Sunday’s season opener in Detroit (All 5 pick the Lions to win by scores of 31-26, 30-24, 27-17, 27-24, 26-20):  https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/saints-at-lions-our-staff-makes-its-predictions-for-sunday-s-season-opener-in-detroit/article_920b5754-edea-45f5-904f-4933d0375bf3.amp.html

A to Z Sports Lions vs. Saints Prediction Lab: Where Detroit can win, what can get them beat, and the one thing that decides Week 1 (The prediction - Lions 31, Saints 20. This offense is going to get done what it wants to get done. The Saints are still going to score, but I don’t believe they’re putting up a whole lot of touchdowns. My big predictions: Hutchinson has at least 2 sacks, Amon-Ra St. Brown gets over 100 yards and a touchdown, and Gibbs goes over 100 yards with a trip to the end zone as well. We’ll see you guys next week in the Prediction Lab when the Lions take on the Bills.):  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-vs-saints-prediction-lab-where-detroit-can-win-what-can-get-them-beat-and-the-one-thing-that-decides-week-1/


Athlon Sports AI Desk - New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions NFL Prediction, Picks & Odds for Sept. 13, 2026 (Prediction for New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions on Sept. 13, 2026 - Saints 21 – Lions 31. We see a big game and a big season coming for returning star Goff.):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/new-orleans-saints-at-detroit-lions-nfl-prediction-picks-odds-for-sept-13-2026

Freep (All 5 pick the Lions to win by scores of 31-20, 26-23, 30-20, 24-21, 29-22):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2026/09/13/lions-saints-predictions-nfl-week-1-picks-2026/91697799007/

Lions OnSI Expert Predictions For Detroit Lions Season-Opener Against Saints (All 4 pick the Lions to win by scores of 27-13, 35-23, 31-20, 28-17):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/expert-predictions-for-detroit-lions-season-opener-against-saints

Pride of Detroit (All 13 pick the Lions to win by scores of 28-10, 27-20, 31-17, 24-13, 31-13, 28-21, 23-20, 24-20, 27-10, 24-17, 28-16, 30-16, 28-20):  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/nfl-picks/172344/nfl-week-1-detroit-lions-new-orleans-saints-expert-picks-score-predictions

NFL.com Preview Video (9 pick the Lions to win by scores of 31-21, 33-22, 33-29, 24-17, 34-20, 28-17, 27-22, 33-22, 34-23.  1 picks the Saints to win 30-27):  https://www.nfl.com/videos/saints-vs-lions-preview-week-1

Saints OnSI Saints vs. Lions Predictions: Will New Orleans Start Season 1-0? (1 picks the Lions to win 28-17.  1 picks the Saints to win 31-28):  https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/onsi/saints-vs-lions-predictions-will-new-orleans-start-season-1-0-01m1hxtdsphw

Saints Wire Week 1 staff picks: Bold predictions, final score for Saints at Lions (3 pick the Saints to win by scores of 25-22, 27-24, 27-24.  1 picks the Lions to win by scores of 31-25):  https://saintswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/saints/2026/09/11/nfl-week-1-bold-predictions-final-score-saints-lions/91708431007/

Non-Score Predictions:

NFL Week 1 Picks From the MMQB Staff: Texans Host Bills in Early AFC Clash (8 pick the Lions to win):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2026-nfl-week-1-staff-expert-picks



ESPN (11 pick the Lions to win):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/picks


The Average Predicted Score (2199-1518/74) is Lions 30 Saints 21.   97 pick the Lions to win, 5 picks the Saints to win.
Posted by LionsFan at 10:04 PM

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