Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants prediction 8-11-23 NFL Picks

The New York Giants and the Detroit Lions clash Friday night in week 1 NFL Preseason action from Ford Field. Two teams that surpassed expectations in 2022, much more will be expected this time around but who starts the season on the right foot? Let’s dive in and find out.

New York Giants Team Preview

The New York Giants come into 2023 looking to build on a solid 2022 campaign, finishing the year 9-7-1, making the playoffs for the first time since 2016 with Brian Daboll winning coach of the year in his debut season, the first Giants coach to win the award since Jim Fassel in 1997. The Giants’ reputation as road warriors would carry into the postseason as New York took down Minnesota in the Wild Card round before falling to the Eagles 38-7 in the divisional round. The Giants’ success would result in some paychecks being handed out, most notably to Daniel Jones as the Giants inked their starting QB to a four-year, $160 million deal. Saquon Barkley would try to hold out for a deal as well but would end up signing for a one-year, $11 million pact. The Giants’ offense has other weapons to take strides in 2023, with Darren Waller acquired via trade and Jalin Hyatt brought in as a highly-touted rookie in addition to a group featuring the likes of Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson. On defense, the Giants have a solid pass rush led by Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but the addition of Bobby Okereke anchors the front seven and fortifies the Giants’ linebacking group and makes this defense even more legit in 2023. We may still not be able to expect much from the NFC Least in 2023, but bank on the Giants at least making it exciting.

Detroit Lions Team Preview

The Detroit Lions will try to take strides of their own in 2023, after turning chicken you-know-what into chicken salad, starting the year 1-6 and going 8-1 down the stretch to finish with a 9-8 overall record and a 5-1 mark within the NFC North. The Lions would miss the playoffs for the 6th straight season, but it definitely gave the Lions’ faithful something to be excited about as we head into 2023. Jared Goff is back under center for Detroit after throwing for 4,438 yards and 29 touchdowns but the running back duo from 2022 is completely revamped, with D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams out and first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs and journeyman David Montgomery in. The problem now will be making do with the receiving group with Jameson Williams out for six games because of a violation of the league’s gambling policy, but the key cogs are there for Ben Johnson’s offense to succeed in the Motor City. On defense, the usual suspects return with Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston boasting solid rookie seasons and this year’s rookies make that unit even deeper for years to come with the additions of linebacker Jack Campbell and safety Brian Branch.

Chris’ Pick

I get the case to be made on either side here, but I normally take depth and coaching into consideration when betting on NFL preseason, and the thing here for me is that both teams have some solid backups, and two of the more talented backup groups in the NFL in my opinion. I think on both sides there’s a lot of spots on the depth chart up for grabs here, and I think both teams put forth a strong showing here and we get a bit of an offensive shootout here. I think this game ends up closer to 38-41 points, so give me the over here.