After notching a 12-win season that led to a division title and ultimately ended in the NFC Championship Game, ESPN is projecting the Detroit Lions to reach double-digit wins once again.
According to ESPN, the Lions' win total projection sits at 10.5, which is higher than the 2023 projection of 9.5. This also marks Detroit's highest figure over the last 35 years.
Adding to that, the outlet notes that the Lions are looking to surpass their projected win total for the third straight season, something the franchise hasn't done since 1993-95.
Detroit sits with the fourth-highest total in the NFL and the second-highest in the conference. Only the San Francisco 49ers (11.5), Kansas City Chiefs (11.5) and Baltimore Ravens (11.5) have higher marks.
The Lions will face a first-place schedule in 2024, so it's fair to think they could fall short of the 12 wins they had in 2023. Even still, they should be considered the favorite to win the NFC North and finish with double-digit victories.
Of their 13 2024 opponents, seven of them (Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys) made the playoffs last season.
Most of the other six (Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks) figure to be improved and/or in the running for a playoff spot.
