The NFL is back, baby, and it’s less than a week until the Detroit Lions kick off their season opener against the New Orleans Saints. Forget the long wait, because Week 1 is staring us down, and while the Lions are sitting as pretty big 6.5-point favorites according to FanDuel, anyone who’s watched this league knows the first week of the season can be absolutely goofy. Teams are unpredictable, sloppy, and you just never know what’s going to happen. Remember the Saints? They weren’t bad last year, closing out the season by winning four of their last five games. And honestly, who knows what the Lions are even bringing to the field?
The Lions Are a Week 1 Wild Card, And Nobody’s Ready
Seriously, what are we going to see from Detroit? Their offensive line got a full makeover, so how’s that unit going to gel from the jump? What kind of wild plays has offensive coordinator Drew Petzing been cooking up all offseason? Will that front seven, which apparently looked lights-out in training camp, actually translate that energy into a real game? There are so many question marks for a team that’s supposed to be a clear favorite. It just goes to show you, Week 1 isn’t about projections; it’s about pure, unadulterated football chaos. That’s why we love it, right?
Jahmyr Gibbs Is Primed For Takeoff, Regardless of the O-Line
Outside of the sheer joy of having the NFL back, the one player I’m absolutely dying to watch is Jahmyr Gibbs. This offseason, the talk has been all about Gibbs vaulting into the top-three running back conversation. Now, here’s the kicker: that hype explosion comes after what a lot of folks would call a pretty mediocre season based on traditional stats. He was just 25th out of 48 qualifying running backs in rushing success rate, and 17th in EPA per rush. Doesn’t exactly scream “top three,” does it? But hold up. Much of that struggle, by all accounts, was laid squarely at the feet of the offensive line.
Here’s the stat that should make every Lions fan incredibly excited, and frankly, puts the entire league on notice: Gibbs finished seventh in the NFL in rushing yards over expected, per NFL Pro. That’s the stuff right there! That means even when the blocking wasn’t perfect, even when there was nothing there, Gibbs was still making magic happen. He’s that dude who can break off an 80-yard house call when the O-line has struggled to create a hole on 20 out of 21 plays. On that one play? BOOM. On top of that, it feels like we’re finally going to see him expand his game as a true receiver, and let’s be real, more Gibbs with the ball in his hands is always a good thing.
The wait is almost over, and honestly, this opening game against the Saints feels like it could set the tone for a lot of conversations this season. Will the Lions prove they’re legit contenders, or will Week 1 sloppiness give the Saints an early upset? All I know is, my eyes are locked on Gibbs. If he lives up to the offseason buzz, he’s going to be a problem for defenses, starting next week.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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