Welcome to the start of a season series with bold predictions that are more than just a bite. If you follow me online, you know I can have some bold opinions on not just sports, but food, video games, and other things. Today, my bold takes return to the football field and the Detroit Lions. In the past two years, I have written about a few bold predictions, one was close to becoming true, one I nailed, and one about a player I will discuss here.
Now it’s time to take on 2025, the Detroit Lions’ Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Bold prediction of the week: Jameson Williams scores twice, finishes with over 150 yards
For months, we’ve been hearing the hype train for Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams grow to the biggest it’s ever been. When the Lions drafted him in 2022, expectations weren’t high as he was recovering from a torn ACL. Heading into 2023, the hype grew, but a suspension dampened the hype. Thankfully, Williams overcame it and showed he could be a contributor to the offense. The hype going into 2024 was a mixed bag, as people questioned if he could stay out of trouble, and despite another suspension, Williams broke out and finished with a 1,000-yard season and became a true weapon in the offense.
Just look at what quarterback Jared Goff, Lions offensive coordinator John Morton, and safety Brian Branch have said so far.
Goff:
“He’s done a hell of a job. Just continue to do what he’s done, and just get more consistent—and he’s done that. He really has. He’s working hard, he’s being a leader now, which is fun to see him grow into that and show guys how he wants to do things. He’s talking to me a ton. It’s fun, man.”
Morton:
“Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. When I first got here, he came in to see me, we had a chat, and I’m painting the picture, ‘This is what you need to do, this is how I see it,’ and he has been unbelievable. Unbelievable in the meetings, the attention to detail; I mean, I’m so excited to see him this year.”
Branch:
“Get y’all popcorn ready for Jamo, man. It’s going to be fun to watch him this year. I feel like that’s exactly what he needed.”
If you thought last year was the breakout season for Williams and his peak, oh no. We’ve just hit the tip of the iceberg with Williams. Going up against the Packers is a good opportunity for Williams, as this defense, particularly the secondary, isn’t the same as last year.
Out is their star cornerback Jaire Alexander, and his replacement is Nate Hobbs. According to PFF, Hobbs was the 10th-best defender on the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, but he isn’t coming in at full strength. Hobbs suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee back in August and had surgery, knocking him out of practice for a month. He only just now returned to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday.
If Hobbs isn’t able to fully go, who’s covering Williams? Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, maybe wide receiver converted cornerback Bo Melton? The depth of the Packers’ cornerback room isn’t strong, and with how many weapons the Lions have on offense, it could really test the Packers defense.
Let’s say Hobbs doesn’t play. Now there’s a backup on Williams. Williams run a go route, and that cornerback can have help from the Packers safeties Evan Williams and/or Xavier McKinney. Okay, now that opens up Amon-Ra St. Brown to get open underneath, or tight end Sam LaPorta to eat the open middle part of the field. That can also help out the running game, which should see some success with defensive tackle Kenny Clark traded to the Dallas Cowboys.
If Hobbs does play, Williams will have a tougher time, but I don’t think Hobbs will be fully effective, especially against someone with the athleticism that Williams has. Jamo will take advantage of either a weak Hobbs or a secondary that doesn’t have much depth, and he will find the end zone not just once, but twice, and put up 150 yards on the Packers defense.
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