Count at least one analyst at USA TODAY Sports as drinking the Honolulu Blue Kool-Aid in 2023.
In his annual team-by-team win prediction, Nate Davis jumps on the Detroit bandwagon. Davis bullishly projects an 11-6 finish and an NFC North division title — something the Lions have never done — for the Lions.
But the guess here is that a revamped secondary – part of a defense that ranked last overall in 2022 – an imposing offensive line, first-round RB Jahmyr Gibbs and a boost from second-year WR Jameson Williams (after his six-game gambling suspension ends) will give this club its first division title since 1993.
Moreover, the Lions are the only NFC North team projected here to finish with a winning record. Davis prophesizes the Bears, Packers and Vikings to all finish with matching 7-10 records in 2023.
