Neither one of these teams look playoff-ready, but we can see the progress in both clubs over the past few weeks.

Prior to their 28-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving, the Detroit Lions had won three straight games. After that loss to the Bills, Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker said, "This isn't the f--king same old Lions.”

Even though Detroit gives up the most points and yards of any team, its defense has developed a knack for forcing turnovers. The Lions have recorded eight takeaways over the past four weeks, which has helped them go 3-1 in November.

Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars have also made strides. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence led his team to a 28-27 victory with a signature performance against the Baltimore Ravens last week (29-of-37 passing for 321 yards and three touchdowns). If running back Travis Etienne Jr. shakes off his foot injury to play, the Jaguars will give Detroit’s defense all it can handle and more Sunday.

Lawrence caught Sobleski’s attention last week. He thinks the second-year signal-caller has turned the corner just in time to carve up the Lions defense.

“Lawrence changed from mild-mannered Bruce Banner through the first portion of the season into the Incredible Hulk during his last three contests. While claiming two victories during that stretch, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick completed 76.9 percent of his passes for 815 yards with a 6-to-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

"Lawrence has turned on the light bulb under center, as evidenced by Sunday's comeback victory over the Ravens. Although the Jaguars trailed by nine points in the fourth quarter, Lawrence threw a touchdown pass to Marvin Jones Jr. with only 14 seconds remaining and then converted a game-winning two-point attempt.

"While Jacksonville radiates positivity because of its transcendent talent behind center, the Lions own the league's worst defense. Expect Lawrence to put his teammates in position to make plays and to make some on his own.”

Predictions

Davenport: Jaguars

Ivory: Lions

Knox: Lions

Moton: Jaguars

O’Donnell: Lions

Sobleski: Jaguars

Consensus: None

Score Prediction: Jaguars 34, Lions 31