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Game Predictions: Expert picks for Patriots at Lions

Experts share their picks for the Patriots Week 3 matchup against the Detroit Lions.

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Experts share their picks for the Patriots Week 3 matchup against the Detroit Lions.

Mike Reiss, ESPN:

Pick: Patriots 30, Lions 20

The Patriots' running game was a disappointment in Week 2, unable to deliver consistent results even when in what should have been advantageous matchups (e.g., big personnel vs. nickel), but there's a solid chance for a turnaround against the Lions. In a grind-it-out type of game that could be a coming-out-party for rookie RB Sony Michel, look for the running game to rebound.

Mike Golic, ESPN: Patriots

Seth Wickersham, ESPN: Patriots

Mina Kimes, ESPN: Patriots

Trey Wingo, ESPN: Patriots

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:

Pick: Patriots 33, Lions 23

The Patriots are playing consecutive road games, after losing to the Jaguars last week. But that won't matter here. The Lions are bad. They have major issues on defense. Even if Josh Gordon doesn't play, Tom Brady carves up the Lions.

Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports: Patriots

Will Brinson, CBS Sports: Patriots

Dave Richard, CBS Sports: Patriots

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Patriots

Elliot Harrison, NFL.com:

Pick: Patriots 30, Lions 23

Look for Tom Brady to rebound in a big way this week after last Sunday's loss to the Jags. Detroit's front four does not resemble the Jacksonville wall Brady faced in Week 2. Moreover, the Lions only seem to generate a pass rush when they blitz -- and blitzing the Patriots' quarterback has never been the ticket. If Detroit coach Matt Patricia attacks his former team with linebackers, he's going to get James White-d till the cows come home. An advantage to that strategy is the lack of a vertical component to the New England attack. I can't imagine recently acquired receiver Josh Gordon will have a huge role this week. Expecting the Pats to prevail. That said, if the secondary fares as it did in Jacksonville, Matthew Stafford will eat those guys alive (provided he's not off for the whole first half again).

Mike Giardi, NFL Network: Patriots 34, Lions 24

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk:

Pick: Patriots 34, Lions 20

Matt Patricia will eventually turn the Lions around, if they give him the time to do it. For now, well, it's time to get used to things staying the way they've been.

Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk:

Pick: Patriots 35, Lions 20

Matt Patricia practiced against Tom Brady plenty of times, but he'll have no answer for how to shut Brady down on Sunday night.

Paul Perillo, Patriots.com:

Pick: Patriots 37, Lions 27

Offense gets back in gear against struggling Lions secondary that could be without its best player.

Andy Hart, Patriots.com:

Pick: Patriots 35, Lions 21

Both quarterbacks are likely to throw a lot of passes in this Sunday night battle as both teams have been struggling a bit on defense. Tom Brady gets the better of the relative shootout with Matthew Stafford.

Erik Scalavino, Patriots.com:

Pick: Patriots 30, Lions 21

With both offenses well-equipped and both defenses somewhat vulnerable, this has the potential to be a high-scoring affair. Meanwhile, Bill Belichick normally fares well in games against head coaches who were once his former assistants. As a result, Detroit's Matt Patricia will have to wait another week to earn his first win as Lions boss.

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