Our Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers prediction takes a look at the Week 18 matchup that features massive playoff implications.
Let’s dive into the current NFL betting odds, key storylines to watch, and make a prediction for the game. Note that all odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Monday, Jan. 2.
Lions vs. Packers Odds
- Spread
Packers -4.5 - Moneyline
Packers -210 - Over/Under
48.5 points
Lions vs. Packers Prediction
It’s remarkable that Detroit is even in this spot of competing for their playoff hopes in the final week of the season. At one point this year, the Lions were an uninspiring 1-6 and seemed destined to hold a top-5 NFL Draft pick yet again.
Dan Campbell and his staff have done a phenomenal job of holding this team together, and they now find themselves with an 8-8 record and on the verge of making the 2022 postseason with a win over their long-time division rival in Week 18.
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The big storyline for Detroit this entire season has been the performance of their offense. Through 17 weeks, the Lions have averaged the 5th most points per game in the entire NFL, and they’ve seemed borderline unstoppable at times.
They’ll have a tough test this week, though, against a Packers defense that has come alive in recent weeks. Over the past three weeks, Green Bay is allowing just the 8th fewest points per game, and that’s been a big reason why they’re even in a similar spot to Detroit.
Jared Goff, D’Andre Swift, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the multitude of other offensive weapons are going to need to be sharp this week in a must-win matchup. If the offense can execute and continue to look as dominant as they have been recently, Detroit could find themselves in the NFC Playoffs win a win and a Seattle loss.
As for Green Bay, it was just a month ago that conversations were taking place about whether or not Jordan Love needed to be given time as the starting QB down the stretch in what appeared to be a lost season.
Fast forward four weeks and Green Bay has rattled off four straight wins to now find themselves in a “win and in” scenario in Week 18. While Rodgers has done enough to keep the offense moving and consistently picking up first downs, the Packers’ defense is a large reason why they’re in this situation.
Over the last three weeks, Green Bay’s defense has surrendered just the 6th fewest rushing yards per game with just 85.3. After essentially being one of the easiest matchups for opposing offenses through the first part of the season, they’ve tightened things up recently, and it’s played a huge role in their success.
In a matchup like this, though, all strategy essentially goes out the window. It all comes down to “who wants it more?”
This is going to be must-watch football this weekend.
Lions vs. Packers Score Prediction
Packers 24, Lions 23