NFL Week 12 expert picks: Detroit Lions at Washington

It’s that time of year in which we have all accepted who the Detroit Lions are. Last week, we all predicted that the Lions would lose to the Dallas Cowboys, and although they put up more of a fight than many expected, they still ultimately proved us right by dropping their sixth game in seven attempts.

However, this week the Lions have a chance to finally tally one in the right column. They’re in Washington D.C. this week to take on a team that is currently 1-9, with their only win coming against one of the worst teams in the league in the Dolphins.

Not only has Washington lost nine of 10 games this season, but they’ve lost by multiple scores in all but one of those losses. It doesn’t seem to matter who they play. A 24-3 loss to the hapless Giants. A 33-7 whooping by the Patriots. This Washington team is bad, and there’s no getting around that.

However... the Lions are beat up. Matthew Stafford and Kerryon Johnson being sidelined would be enough to potentially change the outcome, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The Lions will also be missing their starting center, their best pass rusher, their best safety, their best interior pass rusher, their kick and punt returner, and they could be missing their No. 2 corner and their starting tight end.

So safe to say, anything can happen on Sunday. However, the majority of us are still picking Detroit this week. Here’s a look at our picks:

Justin Simon (6-4): 27-13 Lions
Jeremy Reisman (6-4): 27-21 Lions
John Whiticar (6-4): 35-31 Lions
Kyle Yost (6-4): 21-18 Lions
Alex Reno (5-5): 20-14 Lions
Mike Payton (5-5): Lions win
Hamza Baccouche (5-5): 37-13 Lions
Mansur Shaheen (5-5): 19-3 Lions
Ryan Mathews (5-5): 24-13 Lions
Kellie Rowe (4-4): N/A
Levi Blue (4-7): 24-20 Lions
Andrew Kato (2-6): 17-16 Washington
Chris Perfett (2-8): 9-2 Lions

Now it’s time for you to make your pick.