Are you buckled in? Good, this game has the potential to be one of the craziest regular season games in recent history with a lot on the line for participants. There are a ton of wild scenarios for the NFC playoff picture but if the Redskins win on Sunday, the only way both the Lions and Packers can advance to the playoffs is in the event they end their Sunday nighter in a draw.
- The Lions are 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games at home.
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the Packers' last 7 games at night.
- The Packers are 18-4 SU in their last 22 games against the Lions.
You may be thinking, well, there have been two ties in the NFL this year and there have been seven draws in the history of this matchup but, realistically, a draw is so ridiculously unlikely you are probably better off going out and grabbing a Powerball ticket than betting a draw in this game. There have been just five tie games since 2012 over the span of 1280 football games. That means that well under half a percent of games since the NFL instituted its newest overtime rules have ended in a tie.
This may be a pretty nihilistic view, but what I’d like to see is both teams go out there and just take a knee every play. The NFL brass would lose its mind but, honestly, I’m not sure if there’s anything they could do. It would be an enormous slap in the face to the spirit of the rivalry and competition but it would eliminate any risk of either team being ousted from playoff contention. Collusion could be afoot and I would love nothing more than to see these division rivals completely tank a prime-time game.
In the very likely case that none of this happens, let’s take a look at some of the trends that favor the Packers in the matchup but favor the Lions this season. Detroit has been one of the toughest outs in the NFL at home this year but has played things very close to the vest at Ford Field. The Jaguars are the only team the Lions have beaten by more than three points on their home turf this season so a close game is probably in the cards for Sunday.
The Packers have been taking care of business after an incredibly slow start and are now one of the hottest teams in the league. Detroit’s defense resembled something close to warm butter in its Monday night matchup with the Cowboys so Aaron Rodgers could absolutely have his way if he stays in the groove he’s been in the last five games, in which he’s thrown for 1367 yards, 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Those siding with the visitors in this matchup saw the Green Bay Packers listed as -3-point favorites at shops such as Sportsbook. Meanwhile, the over under line for the betting matchup was at 46.5 over at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark prediction models picked the Packers to win this game on Sunday 24-22. Check the picks page or matchup report during the week as factors may cause that prediction to be re-run. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Green Bay Packers have seen them go 9-6 and 7-7-1 ATS so far this season, while the Detroit Lions are at 9-6 and 8-7 ATS. In totals betting, the Lions are 5-10, while the Packers are 9-6. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Detroit vs Green Bay injuries news.
The Detroit Lions sit at No. 19 in the current NFL Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, while the Green Bay Packers are at No. 9 on that chart.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Detroit's No. 21-ranked offense, averaging 21.47 PPG, against a Packers defense that ranks No. 23 this week at 24.27 PPG. The Lions aerial game is averaging 251.93 yards per game, less than the Packers secondary allows through the air, 264.4 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the Green Bay Packers own the league's No. 5-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 93.86 yards per game when on the road. Detroit, on the other hand, rates No. 29 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Aaron Rodgers dusted the Vikings secondary for 4 TDs last time out as the Packers defeated Minnesota 38-25 at Lambeau Field.
Detroit was hamered in its last outing, as Dallas ran up a 42-21 score against them at AT&T Stadium.
- Green Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Green Bay's last 9 games
- Green Bay is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
- Detroit is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Detroit's last 9 games
- Detroit is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Green Bay home to , Wednesday, December 31st
Detroit home to , Wednesday, December 31st
