Heading down the home stretch of the 2018 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves with a 10-1 record and in preparation for a strong finish and a first round bye in the playoffs. They’ll head east to take on the Detroit Lions (4-7) this Sunday in Week 13, who currently sit in last place in the NFC North.

The Rams are coming off a Week 12 bye, providing them a much-needed breather late in the year. The Rams got some good news this week, as they’ll return a key starter in their secondary, Aqib Talib. The Lions, unfortunately, had to put one of their top wideouts, Marvin Jones Jr., on IR this week (knee). And he’s yet to be ruled out, but it sounds like rookie running back Kerryon Johnson (knee) will miss his second consecutive week.

Will a rested Rams team make light work of a dinged up Lions squad in Week 13? The Turf Show Times staff make their predictions...

Rams defense with Aqib begins road to rising above mediocrity.

Prediction: Rams win, 42-10

I think that the return of Aqib will be a boon for the secondary, and stabilize the back end (which at times has given up some big plays). The Lions are hurting at WR, and RB Kerryon Johnson is questionable to play. The Rams will roll this Sunday, no doubt about it.

Prediction: Rams win, 42-14

Charlie Hiller (@charliehiller)

Few teams can boast a resume that includes getting torched by the Jets and then beating the Patriots, but hello, Detroit Lions. At this point in the season, I just don’t think the Lions are healthy enough offensively to keep up with the Rams. To quote the great philosopher Pauly D : It’s t-shirt time

Prediction: Rams win, 38-13

Eddie Perez (@iAmEddieP_)

Rams head in over to Mo-Town to take on the Detroit Lions. QB Matt Stafford is Mr. Inconsistency, with accuracy issues plaguing him. Look for the Rams to take advantage of this. And yanno, the offense gon’ do their thang regardless.

Prediction: Rams win, 41-28

Eric Nagel (@Eric_nagel)

The Lions will get a lot of yards. The Rams will get a lot of points.

Prediction: Rams win, 37-27

Skye Sverdlin (@skyeattolah)

Contrary to what Nas said, sleep is not the cousin of death. Neither is rest. Rest is your friend. Rest is the Rams friend too and the bye was refreshing. They feel good and comfortable after a bunch of close games.

Prediction: Rams win, 37-19

Kristian Ramirez (@KristianRamirez)

The Rams are coming off the bye rested and with a recovered Talib. The Lions are coming into this game with losses to both the Seahawks and the 9ers. I think we got this one (famous last words)

Prediction: Rams win, 38-23

Elijah Kim (@Big_EZK)

The Rams have to travel all the way to Detroit for an early east coast game. Usually a tough start for west coast teams to do so, the Rams will hopefully plan intelligently as they had a bye week. With the Lions missing so many weapons, the Rams defense should be able to have a good performance while the offense might start slow due to the conditions.

Ultimately, the Rams talent is just too much and the Rams completely overwhelm the Lions.

Prediction: Rams win, 35-24

Joey Aucoin (@LARamsRamsRams)

Rams are going to make the Lions like a bunch of sillies. Jared Goff is elite and this game will be a highlight reel for him (plus a big game for his BFF, Higgs).

Prediction: Rams win, 42-3

Coming off the bye, the Rams should be fresh and looking to find another gear heading into the postseason. Meanwhile, the Detroit offense looks anemic minus Golden Tate, and while their defense looked improved/healthier versus Chicago, it _was_ against Chase Daniel. Rams D gets a boost with the return of Talib, and the offense should pick up right where it left off.

Prediction: Rams win, 37-17

Michael Frank (@turfshowtimesmike)

With the number 1 seed at stake Rams will keep the foot on the peddle. What I am focused on, and want to see, is the Rams pass rush continue from the outside improve. Fowler, Samson, Myers, and even Obo need to improve immensely in this game to create momentum moving forward into the post season. Oh yea, Rams win. Though I do get that feeling from the 99’ season where Rams fell to the Lions when all felt the Rams were invincible. But I will put that away for now.

Prediction: Rams win, 42-17

Brennan Smith (@BrennanJSmith)

The Rams are rested and ready to put a hurting on the Detroit Lions. The Rams should be able to score early and put the pressure on Matt Stafford to throw the Lions out of a deficit. That should allow Aaron Donald to play upfield and get pressure while Marcus Peters could feast on an opportunistic route jump and pick. Offensively, I think Todd Gurley will have a big day in the passing game and Robert Woods will find the end zone once, if not twice, on deep passes from Jared Goff.

Prediction: Rams win, 35-20

Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP)

The Rams are going to get back to their dominant ways this week against a Lions team that’s in disarray. After injuries to Marvin Jones and Kerryon Johnson, as well as the trade of Golden Tate, their offense offers no firepower. Kenny Golladay is a stud but the offense simply isn’t producing. The Rams’ offense should have an absolute field day. Whichever WR gets to matchup with Teez Tabor will likely have a massive day. As for the defense, I expect them to produce a handful of big plays and that all starts with #99 upfront who’ll record four sacks on Sunday.

Prediction: Rams win, 45-17

The Lions traded Golden Tate, put Marvin Jones on IR, and their best RB, Kerryon Johnson, has a bum knee. The Rams starters should only play 3 quarters in what I believe should be another bye week for the boys from LA

Prediction: Rams win, 38-17

Sean Wilkinson (@Papa_Lurch)

The Rams get Talib back and will be well rested. Look for the Rams defense to make a statement.

Also, free Matt Stafford.

Prediction: Rams win, 38-17

Prediction: Rams win, 41-19

Brandon Bate (@NoPlanB_)

An extra week to prepare. An extra week to rest. An extra week to get a key starter back in the game. And all of this for the team that’s been one of the strongest in the game since the onset of the season.

There’s no reason the Rams shouldn’t handle their bidness on Sunday.

Prediction: Rams win, 38-17