Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions Week 2 Betting Preview, Odds and Prediction
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions Week 2 Betting Preview, Odds and Prediction
Date: Monday, September 20, 2021
Game Time: 8:15 PM ET
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay
TV Network: FOX
Green Bay Packers: (0-1-0 SU, 0-1-0 ATS)
Detroit Lions: (1-0-0 SU, 1-0-0 ATS)
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions Week 2 Betting Preview
The Green Bay Packers look to bounce back against NFC North rivals, Detroit Lions, in Week 2 of the NFL, and bookmakers are backing Aaron Rodgers and Co. to do it in convincing fashion. The Packers are flush off a stunning upset by the New Orleans Saints, 38-6, in their season opener on neutral ground. The Lions, by contrast, succumbed to a 41-33 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in their season home-opener.
As things currently stand, the Packers are laying 10.5 points with most sportsbooks. Some have gone as high as 11 points with the spread juiced to -120, suggesting the needle could move as higher. Opening NFL lines before Week 1 tipped the Packers as the 10-point home faves; so, clearly, the debacle against the Saints hasn’t taken the shine off the Packers. Well, not just yet.
Green Bay Packers Betting Odds & Overview
Aaron Rodgers, last season’s indisputable MVP, is coming off a career-worst performance as the Packers succumbed to a lopsided 38-6 loss. To add insult to injury, the Saints were led by Jameis Winston – a mercurial and unpredictable quarterback that has struggled in the NFL; that is, until last Sunday when he outplayed and outgunned Rodgers.
Top to bottom, the Packers were just awful. The burden of responsibility falls on the coaching staff and players alike – it’s as if, they never got the memo about the first week of the NFL season starting on September 12. Rodgers went 15-of-28 for 133 yards and zero touchdowns. He had two interceptions, though. Jordan Love went 5-of-7 for 68 yards, but he also had a lost fumble.
The Packers run game was missing in action. AJ Dillon Kylin Hill and Aaron Jones totted up merely 43 yards – with the latter accounting for just nine of those. The passing game wasn’t anything to write home about either as the Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Mercedes Lewis, Amari Rodgers, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scanting, Malik Taylor, and Aaron Jones…all accounted for a modest 201 yards. On the flip side, the defense was absolutely non-existent as Winston faced little pressure. He was able to have his way all day long.
Detroit Lions Betting Odds & Overview
Jared Goff got no favours from the NFL schedule as his debut for the Detroit Lions in Week 1 pit him against familiar foes, the San Francisco 49ers. It’s one thing to stare down the 49ers with the support of the Rams defense, which is one of the best D-units in the league. It’s another matter entirely to have to do it with the league’s most porous defense. Suffice it to say, it was a forgettable outing that belied the close score in the end.
It was never that close, although Goff did play his heart out. For the first three quarters, the Lions were outplayed thoroughly. It was embarrassing just how badly they played. In the fourth quarter, though, the Lions perked up a bit and put up some points that narrowed the gap on the scoreboard and, ultimately, delivered the cover for Lions backers as the closing 9-point home underdogs.
Goff went 38-of-57 for 338 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. However, he was sacked three times and was under constant pressure from the Niners’ vaunted defense. T.J. Hockenson led the Lions in receiving with 97 yards and a touchdown. D’Andre Swift came in with 65 yards and a touchdown. Running back Jamaal Williams scampered for 54 yards and a touchdown. The defense was borderline unwatchable.
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions Week 2 Odds
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers | -11.5 | -551 | Over 48.5 |
| Detroit Lions | +11.5 | +500 | Under 48.5 |
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions Week 2 Betting Preview and Prediction
The fact that the Packers @ Saints in Week 1 wasn’t a scheduled for primetime is possibly the only saving grace because Rodgers’ humiliation would have been otherwise nationally televised for all to witness. This doesn’t mean that Rodgers won’t be motivated to atone for his unfortunate 2021 season opener. On the contrary, he’ll be eager to put a redline through Week 1 and move on as quickly as possible from the dastardly defeat. Fortunately, he gets one of his favourite punching bags in Week 2. Rodgers has had the measure of the Lions for the better part of his career. There couldn’t be a better matchup for him to face in what’s a must-win game to silence his critics.
Granted the Lions are a different team with Jared Goff at quarterback and a new coaching staff. However, if Week 1 were any indication, it’s going to be another forgettable season for the long-suffering Lions fans. The Packers should win this game handily, but covering the spread might be iffy, especially if the Lions get to score in garbage time again and ruin it for spread bettors. Then again, Rodgers might be just so angry that he puts up a hefty margin of points and the defense might actually show up this time.
NFL Picks: Packers -10.5 (-110)
Nikki Adams is a freelance sports writer that’s honed in on the world of sports betting. She joined OddsChecker in 2021 after having covered a number of major American sports, including NFL and NCAAF, for several other publications in the industry. When she’s not looking for the best betting angles and writing engaging and insightful articles, she’s likely on a tennis court or binging on reality TV.