The Seattle Seahawks are seeking their third 4-0 start in franchise history, and their first since the 2020 season. Standing in their way is a quality Detroit Lions team, hungry to end their current six-game losing skid to the Seahawks.
Since defeating Seattle 28-24 in the 2012 season, the Lions have struggled mightily against the Seahawks, especially at home, where they have lost the last two-straight games in each of the last two seasons. In both instances, Seattle outlasted Detroit in wild 48-45 and 37-31 (OT) shootouts. Offensive fireworks have defined the recent series, but on Monday, injuries seem to be taking the center stage.
For the Lions, they will be without their All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, which is a considerable loss to their offensive line. Unfortunately, the Seahawks may not be as able to take advantage as they would have even a week ago. Seattle has already ruled out defensive tackles Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II, as well as pass rushers Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu. The Seahawks defense, particularly the pass rush, has been outright suffocating. Without some of the best players on their defensive front, Jared Goff and Co. may have more time than what quarterbacks this season who have played Seattle have enjoyed.
So the Lions offensive line is weakened, and the Seahawks defensive line is as well. It appears to be a battle between a movable object and a stoppable force. But in today’s NFL, take the side of a weaker offense vs. a weakened defense. Seattle has also shown vulnerabilities against the run, which has plagued this unit for years.
To win this game, the load is likely going to have to be shouldered by the offense. Fortunately for the Seahawks, this unit is getting Kenneth Walker III back into the fold after missing the two previous weeks. Having Walker be the primary ballcarrier, with Zach Charbonnet being able to come off the bench for a change of pace, will help give Seattle’s ground attack more teeth to threaten the Lions.
Geno Smith is also more than capable of performing against Detroit. In the last two games against the Lions, Smith has thrown for 648 yards and four touchdowns, as well as leading the game-winning drive in overtime last year. Smith’s statistics haven’t popped off the page in 2024, but he has been playing exceptionally well. Smith also has the most game-winning drives in the entire NFL since the 2022 season.
The Lions are healthier, more experienced, and more established with this current regime. They are coming off a year where they were two quarters of football away from reaching the Super Bowl. But I can’t help but lean towards the Seahawks in this one. Perhaps it is me leaning on recent history. Perhaps it is an intuition. Or perhaps it is the fact Monday night is Seattle’s night. The Seahawks own the best win percentage (.714) in NFL history on Monday nights, and have gone 3-0 in their last three outings on MNF… including a Week 4 road showdown last year.
Give me the Seahawks in another shootout, with more heroics from Smith late.
Prediction: Seahawks over Lions 38-35
