Saints vs Lions predictions, graded
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions · Week 1, 2026 · Sun, Sep 13 · Final: Saints 30, Lions 31 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in Saints vs Lions? Of 16 pundits with a call on record, all 16 take the Lions. 6 named a score; the median has the Lions by 10. The Lions won 31-30, so 16 of 16 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 94 out of 100.
Who the room took
16 pundits · each counted once, by their latest callSaints vs Lions picks by outlet
Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.
- Sports Illustratedall 8 Lions
- CBS Sportsall 2 Lions
- Locked On Saints (podcast)all 2 Lions
The other 4 pundits write or talk elsewhere: all 4 Lions.
Saints vs Lions score predictions
6 pundits named a score; the median call is Lions by 10, and the final was Lions by 1.
Each dot is one pundit’s latest score call, placed at the winning margin it named. The solid bar is how the game actually finished. Hover or tap a dot for the pundit and the score.
- Ross JacksonLions 27, Saints 20Hit · 86
- Matt DeryLions 24, Saints 20Hit · 93
- Mitchell EisensteinLions 34, Saints 24Close · 79
- Mike FlorioLions 34, Saints 24Close · 79
- Pete PriscoLions 33, Saints 21Close · 74
- John BreechLions 30, Saints 20Close · 79
Saints at Lions: how they came in
The Saints went 6-11 last season and the Lions went 9-8 last season. On win totals, 15 pundits put the Saints at 8.4 wins on average, and 13 pundits put the Lions at 10.4 wins on average.
Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
- Record coming in
- 0-0
- Unit ranks
- offense 23rd, defense 24th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 6-11
- Win-total calls
- 15 pundits · average 8.4 · 2 to 11 wins
- Record coming in
- 0-0
- Unit ranks
- offense 5th, defense 11th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 9-8
- Win-total calls
- 13 pundits · average 10.4 · 3 to 12 wins
Saints and Lions players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (69 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
Saints
- Tyler ShoughStarting QB · QB
1,986 passing yards · 14 TD, 6 INT · 66.2% completions · 162 rushing yards · 8 games · 13th in the NFL in passing yards
Tyler Shough to be 1st on the depth chart
“He now enters the 2026 season as the Saints' undisputed starter” the article →
“I've got him at QB. I kind of go back and forth somewhere in the QB 10 to 12 range (rest of season)” the article →
- Alvin KamaraRB1 · RB
157 rushing yards on 47 carries · 3 TD · 25 catches for 150 · 7 games · 65th in the NFL in rushing yards
Alvin Kamara to outplay his draft cost (round thirteen)
“why is Alvin Kamara in round thirteen... K Kamara is going to move up now to the contract and he's officially here” the article →
Alvin Kamara to make the roster
“I have the Saints rolling in on the initial 53 man roster with Travis h Chan junior, Alvin Camara, Kendrick Miller, Audrey Guessemme” the article →
- Chris OlaveWR1 · WR
56 catches for 734 yards · 2 TD · 8 games · 6th in the NFL in receiving yards
Chris Olave to outplay his draft cost (wide receiver 12 price tag)
“All in on Chris Alave, wide receiver 12 price tag... So we are undervaluing Chris Alave and his upside.” the article →
Chris Olave to make the roster
“I have the Saints keeping five wide receivers. Chris Olave, Devon Vele, Bryce Lance, Barry Young Brown, no surprises there, and then Kevin Austin junior.” the article →
- Juwan JohnsonTE1 · TE
28 catches for 289 yards · 4 TD · 8 games · 73rd in the NFL in receiving yards
Juwan Johnson to make the roster
“the top three are very clear and obvious. Right? Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant, Oscar Depp” the article →
Juwan Johnson to outplay his draft cost (Late-round only)
“Tight Ends Sleepers*: Juwan Johnson (TE – NO)” the article →
- Chase YoungSack leader · DE
8 sacks · 9 solo tackles · 8 games · 2nd in the NFL in sacks
Chase Young to make the roster
“five edge rushers, Chase Young, Carl Grenison, Cam Jordan, Tyree Wilson, and Freni Jennings” the article →
- Jonas SankerTackle leader · S
31 solo tackles · 8 games · 45th in the NFL in solo tackles
Jonas Sanker to make the roster
“with safety, Justin Reed, Julian Blackman, Jonas Sanker, who's your star corner, or your star defender” the article →
Jonas Sanker to be 1st on the depth chart
“With Taylor leaving, Sanker will be moving from free safety to slot corner.” the article →
Lions
- Jared GoffStarting QB · QB
2,134 passing yards · 15 TD, 2 INT · 67.8% completions · 8 games · 9th in the NFL in passing yards
Jared Goff to stay with Detroit Lions
“QB Jared Goff, Lions ... the dozen players that most likely won't be traded” the article →
Jared Goff to outplay his draft cost (An 11th round pick in real time ADP)
“It's Jared Goff... So I love Goff. And, you know, you bypass a quarterback... to load up on other positions in the early rounds and then just take a steady quarterback.” the article →
- Jahmyr GibbsRB1 · RB
847 rushing yards on 177 carries · 11 TD · 34 catches for 285 · 8 games · 3rd in the NFL in rushing yards
Jahmyr Gibbs to finish top 1 at his position, by fantasy points
“He was my RB1. I've moved Gibbs to the top spot now.” the article →
Jahmyr Gibbs to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Offensive Player of the Year — Mike Kadlick: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions” the article →
- Amon-Ra St. BrownWR1 · WR
61 catches for 657 yards · 5 TD · 8 games · 11th in the NFL in receiving yards
Amon-Ra St. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“As the Lions' No.1 offensive weapon, he forces defensive playcallers to make tough decisions” the article →
Amon-Ra St. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“Amon-Ra St. Brown remains Detroit's clear-cut No. 1 WR.” the article →
- Sam LaPortaTE1 · TE
35 catches for 399 yards · 3 TD · 8 games · 36th in the NFL in receiving yards
Sam LaPorta to sign a new deal
“As he alluded to, LaPorta will likely have a big payday this offseason, whether it's with the Lions or someone else. ... As long as LaPorta continues to produce, he will surely have a robust market if he becomes a free agent this offseason.” the article →
Sam LaPorta to move to Detroit Lions
“If a tight end is to finally break that $20 million threshold, it could be either Bowers or Detroit Lions weapon Sam LaPorta, who are next in line to receive life-changing money.” the article →
- Alim McNeillSack leader · DT
5.5 sacks · 8 solo tackles · 8 games · 12th in the NFL in sacks
- Jack CampbellTackle leader · LB
30 solo tackles · 7 games · 48th in the NFL in solo tackles
Every call on Saints at Lions
1–20 of 20
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
The Saints won't keep up. Lions big." ... Pete Prisco is taking the Lions to blow out the Saints!
Detroit Lions 24 — Saints 20
I said 20 to 24, so that they do end up covering.
Detroit Lions 27 — Saints 20
maybe I kinda ride the fence here and say twenty seven twenty Detroit
Detroit Lions 34 — New Orleans Saints 24
I think they'll put up 34 points, and I got them giving up 24 points. ... But I got the Detroit Lions winning 34 to 24 over the New Orleans Saints.
Detroit Lions 34 — Saints 24
Lions 34, Saints 24.
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
Saints at Lions — Gilberto Manzano: Lions
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
Saints at Lions — John Pluym: Lions
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
Saints at Lions — Matt Verderame: Lions
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
Saints at Lions — Mike Kadlick: Lions
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
Saints at Lions — Albert Breer: Lions
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
Saints at Lions — Mitch Goldich: Lions
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
Saints at Lions — Eva Geitheim: Lions
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
Saints at Lions — Conor Orr: Lions
Detroit Lions 33 — Saints 21
Pick: Lions 33, Saints 21
Detroit Lions 30 — Saints 20
Lions 30-20 over Saints
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
And the Saints are going to be 0-2 right out of the gate. They go at Detroit and at Baltimore.
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
I'll take the Lions favored by six and a half.
Christian Izien to be 1st on the depth chart
Christian Izien is an option for later in the season, but might be tasked with a starting safety role in Week 1 as Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph rehab their injuries.
Detroit Lions to beat Saints
Saints (at Lions). ... it's hard to see the Saints keeping up.
Detroit Lions to beat New Orleans Saints
While I do have the Saints dropping the first two games of the season, that's on the road to the Detroit Lions