Week 1 NFL expert picks: Detroit Lions overwhelming favorites vs. New York Jets

The Detroit Lions are getting a late start to the NFL season, playing the second-to-last game of the week on Monday night against the New York Jets. On one hand, that gives Lions fans all of Sunday to enjoy opening week. On the other hand, it seems we get left out on the fun a little bit as the swarm of games this weekend has everyone all excited this morning.

But according to NFL experts across the league, the Lions will be joining in the excitement this week, too, just a little delayed from everyone else.

The Jets aren’t exactly a highly-regarded team entering 2018. There are question marks all over their roster. A rookie quarterback, a patchwork offensive line, a new offensive coordinator and a bunch of interesting but disjointed players on defense.

As a result, almost everyone is picking the Lions to come out of Week 1 with their first win of the season. Check it out:

ESPN: 9 of 10 experts pick LIONS
CBS: 6 of 8 experts pick LIONS
SB Nation: 6 of 7 experts pick LIONS
Pro Football Focus: 8 of 8 expert picks LIONS
Sports Illustrated: 6 of 7 experts pick LIONS

Consensus: 35 of 40 (87.5%) experts pick LIONS

So while Lions fans may be feeling a little bit of a hangover from a rough preseason, it appears there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic... at least for this week.

Looking for our picks on the game? I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until Monday.