With training camps almost here, 61 NFL predictions have rolled in via an NFL writer. In that list, No. 10 has the Lions performing extremely well even in an on-the-road Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

"The next week against Arizona, Goff and rising playmaker Isaac TeSlaa hook up for seven receptions, 88 yards, and two scores while the defense forces three takeaways in a 40-9 public execution," Jarrett Bailey of SBNation predicted on July 23rd.

While the prediction aspect of it may sound like a lot, the history between the two franchises backs the Lions' dominance.

Outside of Bailey's SBNation report, the last two times the two franchises met, the Lions won both games in 2021 as well as 2024. Most recently, the Lions beat the Cardinals 20-13 in September 2023, where Jared Goff threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

Outside of their most recent defeat, the Cardinals have gone 0-4-1 against the Detroit Lions across their last five meetings, suffering losses of 17-3, 26-23, and 30-12.

The only other result has been a 27-27 tie in 2019, breaking the losing streak. Still, that margin has never been as big as the predicted 40-9 scoreline.

For Mike LaFleur, the pressure starts immediately with this daunting prediction. The first-time Arizona Cardinals head coach only arrived this offseason after a successful three-year stint as the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025.

That's why SBNation's bold prediction feels like a tall order for LaFleur. But it also doubles as another vote of confidence for the Detroit Lions, who continue to be viewed as one of the league's toughest teams to slow down heading into 2026.

Report predicts the Lions to start the 2026 season 4-1

SBNation's prediction list doesn't stop with Arizona. In fact, Prediction No. 10 maps out the Detroit Lions' entire opening stretch, projecting Dan Campbell's squad to race out to a 2-1 start.

The forecast has Detroit taking down the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 and the New York Jets in Week 3, with only a tough roadblock against the Buffalo Bills separating the two victories.

"They then have a two-game road trip, facing the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals," Jarrett Bailey's report further noted. "In front of a national audience on Sunday Night Football, Jahmyr Gibbs goes off for three total touchdowns while Jared Goff goes for 303 yards and four scores, defeating the Panthers 41-17."

For Lions fans, SBNation's prediction should sound like music to their ears. After all, Detroit somehow finished last in the NFC North in 2025 despite posting a winning 9-8 record.

Now, with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing calling the shots, the Lions will be chasing a return to their 2024 form, the season they stormed to a 15-2 record and claimed the NFC's No. 1 seed.

Do you think the Lions can be Super Bowl contenders in 2026? Let us know!

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Written by

Aadesh Dhote

Edited by

Rudra Dubey