The Detroit Lions are gearing up for their highly anticipated season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field, scheduled to be played on "Sunday Night Football." As the first game of the 2024 season, both teams are entering the match with high hopes and aspirations of securing a playoff spot.

Back in May, when the schedule was announced, the Lions were initially listed as three-point favorites. Since then, the betting line has shifted in Detroit's favor, with the current line at Lions -4.5 points according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

During the offseason, both the Lions and the Rams focused on filling roster gaps and strengthening their teams. The Lions made significant investments to bolster their offense and upgrade their defense, showcasing their commitment to a successful season. On the other hand, the Rams faced challenges as they had to adapt to the departures of star player Aaron Donald, who retired, and MIKE linebacker Ernest Jones, who was traded.

Leading up to the season opener, the Lions encountered injury concerns with up to 15 players dealing with various ailments during training camp. However, the team took a strategic approach to rehabilitation over the last two weeks, and currently, only three players are listed as injured.

While the Lions managed to address their injury issues, the Rams could face their own challenges. Former Lion Jonah Jackson returned to full practice this week after missing a month of training camp. However, the team might be without both starting tackles. Left tackle Alaric Jackson has been suspended for the game, and right tackle Rob Havenstein has been limited in practice after missing a significant portion of training camp. Furthermore, starting corner Darious Williams was placed on injured reserve just days before the match.

As the Lions prepare to seize the opportunity to start their season on a positive note, several experts have weighed in with their predictions. Our expert panel, consisting of Hamza Baccouche, Morgan Cannon, Al Karsten, Jerry Mallory, Alex Reno, Kellie Rowe, Ty Schalter, Meko Scott, Zac Snyder, and John Whiticar, all expect the Lions to come out on top in this matchup, each with their own score predictions.

Now it's time for fans to share their own picks. Cast your vote in the poll below and leave your score predictions in the comments section, as the excitement builds for this highly anticipated Week 1 clash.