So far, my bold predictions this season might be too spicy. I struck out in week one with wide receiver Jameson Williams, and while Detroit Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson did record a sack against the Chicago Bears last week, it wasn’t as many as I expected. I have to eventually strike on one of them, right?
While I was thinking of trusting the defensive line again this week, I dug a little deeper and saw a nugget that I think the Lions can do to the Baltimore Ravens on “Monday Night Football.” It won’t be easy, and if it happens, it might even turn into the Lions pulling off an upset, beating the Ravens.
Bold prediction of the week: Detroit picks off Lamar Jackson twice
Okay, you’re probably thinking this isn’t too bold, and in general, sure, it’s not the craziest thing to imagine, but Jackson has been careful with the football through the air in his career. Since Jackson has been in the NFL in 2018, he has only had two games in which he has thrown at least three interceptions. He didn’t become the starter until 2019, but that still doesn’t matter. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the one many see as the next GOAT, has three games in which he has thrown three or more interceptions in his career.
Sure, he has a few years on Jackson, but still, that is impressive. What I think is even more impressive is that Jackson hasn’t had a game where he has thrown at least two interceptions since November 12, 2023. Jackson doesn’t have to throw the ball as much as other quarterbacks due to his ability to run with the football, and now, since last season, he has a strong running back in Derrick Henry. So he can just hand the ball off to him. Not many quarterbacks have that luxury.
Picking off Jackson isn’t an easy thing to do, and it’s even more difficult to do it more than once in the same game. This is where I think the Lions have a chance to strike with Jackson.
First, they have easily the best safety duo in the NFL in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Last season, Joseph led the NFL in interceptions with nine, and Branch had four. Joseph is already creating turnovers as he picked off Bears quarterback Caleb Williams last week.
The Lions’ secondary has improved with the additions of cornerbacks D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, and Avonte Maddox to pair them with second-year cornerback Terrion Arnold, and Swiss Army knife Amik Robertson. This group should create some turnovers through the air, and if the Lions can get out to a lead big enough to force Baltimore to throw it more than they want to, the opportunities might just fall into their lap.
Another reason why Jackson might throw multiple interceptions is due to the poor pass blocking by his offensive line. According to PFF, the Ravens have the sixth-worst pass blocking grade in the NFL at 49.6. The unit has already allowed five sacks, and is on pace to allow 42.5, the most Jackson would have ever had in his career. If the offensive line can’t hold off the Lions’ pass rush led by Hutchinson, Jackson might have to take risks to avoid getting sacked.
The Ravens’ offensive line needs to play a stellar game in order to limit Jackson from making mistakes through the air. Their star left tackle, Ronnie Stanley, has allowed the most sacks (two) and pressures (five), so he will need to figure things out quickly before Hutchinson steals his lunch and gets to Jackson himself, or, like in the interception that Joseph got last week, create panic and havoc that leads to a turnover.
The Lions have playmakers all over the defensive side of the ball, and at least one of them must step up against Baltimore if they are going to win this game. Of course, it takes all 11 players working in harmony to do the job right. The secondary can try to disguise their coverage, but it doesn’t hurt when someone else on defense can give them that assist. Whether it’s the defensive line generating pressure or a linebacker covering up a zone, chances will be had to pick off Jackson multiple times if everyone can do their job.
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