NFL expert picks: Score predictions for Detroit Lions vs. Washington Football Team

It may not officially be true, but this feels like last call for the Detroit Lions and head coach Matt Patricia. At 3-5, the Lions cannot afford any slip ups for the rest of the season if the team wants a crack at the postseason and if Patricia wants to keep his job. A loss to the 2-6 Washington Football Team would certainly be considered a slip up, and of the extreme variety.

Believe it or not, Washington is just a game-and-a-half behind the 3-4-1 Philadelphia Eagles for the lead in the NFC East, so their path to the playoffs is far easier, and seeing as they’re in Year 1 of the Ron Rivera era, they’ve got a little more leeway with fans and ownership.

And while Washington is a bad team, they may not be as bad as you think. They’ve given up just 188 points through eight games, which is the eighth fewest in the NFL. In fact, their point differential (-35) is actually better than Detroit’s (-43).

So who are we picking this week? Well, the staff is split, but leaning Washington. Five staffers are picking the Lions to win, while eight are taking the Football Team as slight road underdogs. Here’s a look at our specific score predictions.

Kellie Rowe (5-3): Lions win
Ryan Mathews (5-3): 23-17 Football Team
Kyle Yost (5-3): 20-19 Football Team
Chris Perfett (5-3): 99-4 Football Team
Jeremy Reisman (4-4): 17-13 Football Team
Justin Simon (4-4): 24-20 Lions
Alex Reno (3-5): 23-20 Lions
Jerry Mallory (3-5): 23-17 Lions
John Whiticar (3-5): 26-20 Football Team
Mansur Shaheen (3-5): Lions win
Mike Payton (3-5): 20-13 Football Team
Hamza Baccouche (2-5): 69-9 Football Team
Andrew Kato (2-6): 24-17 Football Team

You can see all of our Week 10 picks here.

Now it’s your turn to pick: