Both of these NFC North teams are struggling at the midway point of the season. The Green Bay Packers started out 3-1 but have not won since and now sit at 3-5, already 4 ½ games back of 6-1 Minnesota in the division. The Lions have only won once in seven tries this season, as their defense has made life extremely difficult for an offense that can score in bunches. Can the Packers go to Ford Field and end their four-game skid? Read on to find out our sports betting prediction.
NFL Preview: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (Sunday, November 6)
When: Sunday, November 6, 2022, 1:00 pm ET
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
TV: FOX
Radio: Westwood One
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Green Bay -3.5 / O/U 49.5 // Green Bay -190 / Detroit +158
Why should you bet on the Packers?
The Packers looked like their Week 1 loss at Minnesota was another opening week mirage, as they rolled over Chicago, Tampa Bay and New England. However, their skid began when they blew a lead against the Giants in London. Then, they returned from their international break and got embarrassed at home by the New York Jets. They also blew a lead in Washington and then never really had a chance in Buffalo last week, a ten-point loss that was not as close as the score indicated.
It has been 14 years since the Packers lost five games in a row. One factor in the recent skid is Aaron Rodgers’ thumb injury, which dates back to the Giants game. He has a 13:4 TD:INT ratio, but he has had a difficult time completing longer passes down the field, and not having Davante Adams has meant that the receiving corps doesn’t have anyone who can regularly get separation. The Packers did not add any receivers at the trade deadline. They should have some opportunities on offense this week, though, with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon bringing a bruising running game and the Lions giving up 421.3 yards per game, dead last in the league.
Why should you put your money on the Lions?
The Lions just traded away one of their top offensive contributors, sending tight end T.J. Hockenson to a divisional rival in the Vikings. Hockenson had been the team’s top receiver in two of the last four contests, including a 179-yard performance against Seattle. As the team has not addressed any of its defensive needs, sending a key offensive player away at the deadline does not send a message of trying to win now. The last time Detroit won was in Week 2, against Washington.
Detroit did make a change in the defensive staff this week, firing defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant and replacing him with safeties coach Brian Duker. However, the Lions have permitted at least 24 points in every game, including the 31 points that Miami dropped on them in a comeback win last week. The offense has been productive, ranked fourth in the league in yardage per game (349.9), and Jared Goff has thrown 12 touchdown passes. If the Lions can get an early lead against the Packers, they might drain Green Bay of its motivation.
Final Score and Prediction
The Lions look like sellers right now, sending Hockenson to an NFC North rival, while the Packers stood pat and still look like wild card contenders if they can figure things out on offense. Green Bay has won five of the last six meetings in this rivalry, and I see nothing to give me confidence that the Lions can prevail on either side of the ball. I predict a final score of Green Bay 24, Detroit 16.
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