Packers vs Lions: Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions
The Green Bay Packers wrap up their regular-season campaign against the Detroit Lions on the road. With coach Matt LaFleur looking ahead to the playoffs now, he’s likely to be mindful in his approach to this meaningless game. It’s uncertain how cautious he’ll be with his starters though. Nevertheless, BetUS Sportsbook is still favoring the Packers (watered down or not) against the Lions for this Week 18 contest.
- Game: Packers (13-3-0) vs Lions (2-13-1)
- Location: Ford Field, Detroit
- Day/Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Packers vs Lions Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
Packers vs Lions Betting Lines
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
| VName | -4 -110 | 44½ -110o | |
| HName | +4 -110 | 44½ -110u |
Head-to-Head
As with practically every single NFC North rival, Aaron Rodgers owns the Detroit Lions, too. The Packers have won the last five meetings with the Lions, including a 35-17 win on Sept. 20.
Green Bay Packers
Next game: TBD (Divisional Round)
Last Game
The Packers clinched the No.1 seed following a commanding 37-10 win over the short-handed Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Going into the game, the markets projected a much closer contest, with the Packers favored merely by a touchdown or thereabouts. When Kirk Cousins was added to the reserve/Covid-19 list on Friday, however, the market for this game doubled.
At closing doors, the Packers were tipped as the 12½-point home chalk for NFL picks against the spread. Tale told, they crushed the point spread with plenty of wiggle room.
Injury Report
Center Josh Myers (knee), defensive lineman Kingsley Keke (illness), running back Aaron Jones (knee), tight end Dominique Dafney (ankle), linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (elbow), tackle David Bakhtiari (knee), and wide receiver Randall Cobb (abdominal) are questionable; quarterback Aaron Rodgers (toe) is probable; cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder), and guard Billy Turner (knee) are out indefinitely.
Detroit Lions
Next game: NA
Last Game
The Detroit Lions are coming off an absolutely soul-crushing 51-29 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on the road. It was their fourth blowout loss of 20-plus points and, without a doubt, one of the worst losses of the season for Dan Campbell’s side as the Lions failed to come through as the nine-point road underdogs in betting online markets.
The Lions had built a reputation for being gritty and competitive despite their obvious shortcomings. Last Sunday, though, they were playing without starting quarterback Jared Goff, two of their top receivers and a slew of other key players.
On the bright side, the loss assured the Lions one of the top two picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Talk about silver linings. Job done.
Went back and listened to Dan Campbell’s introductory press conference and he pretty much accomplished everything he said he was going to do year one. This team took the identity of the city and played competitive football all year long.
Year 1 Grade A. pic.twitter.com/uOTc4A3LCw
— Malcolm Hart (@MrHart__) December 29, 2021
Injury Report
Tight end Hunter Bryant (illness), defensive end Joel Heath (illness) and tackle Taylor Decker (illness) are out indefinitely; tight end Brock Wright (groin), linebacker Jalen Reeves Maybin (shoulder), offensive lineman Jonah Jackson (elbow), defensive lineman Michael Brockers (neck), fullback Jason Cabinda (knee), defensive tackle Jashon Cornell (undisclosed), quarterback Jared Goff (knee) and tight end Rashad Berry (illness) are questionable for Sunday.
Betting on the Game
Even though the Packers have little to play for in their season finale against rival Detroit, BetUS installs Green Bay as the four-point road chalk. On the flip side, the Lions have little to play for and are dealing with a slew of injuries. In the main, the uncertainty swirling around Goff’s availability is likely to push the odds against the Lions further.
All in all, it’s a rather understated NFL game betting line considering the vast difference in quality and talent between these division rivals – underscored by the fact that Green Bay is flush off a third straight NFC North title and clinching the No.1 seed for a second straight year.
Had the Packers had something to play for, the line for this game might have been greater. So, it appears that the assumption is that LaFleur will be resting most of his starters for some or all of the game.
And yet, Rodgers made a point of his intention to play in the season finale when speaking to the media after beating Minnesota. If Rodgers does play, this line is absolutely a steal for bettors. It could get ugly fast for the Lions and their fans.
To be fair, though, even if Rodgers doesn’t play or plays in limited form, it’s still a steal bet. Last week, the Lions rolled over at Lumen Field and gave up 51 points to a woeful Seahawks team.
This time around, they might roll out the red carpet for the Packers at Ford Field and send the division champions into the playoffs on a high note.
