Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions Predictions: Can the Lions Sneak in a Victory?

Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions Predictions: Can the Lions Sneak in a Victory?

In Week 17, the Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC home-field advantage at 13-3 on the season. Currently, star players like Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are expecting to play, but the reality is, the Packers would be much smarter keeping those guys out of the lineup.

With doubt on if the Packers will play their superstars, the line has taken a while to reach the public.

Can the Lions sneak in a victory for their third win of the season, at home, against a Packers team that could eventually rest their starters for the playoffs? Here are our picks and predictions for the diviosnal game between the Packers and Lions.

Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

Date: Sunday, January 9, 2021

Game Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Where To Watch: FOX

Lions vs Packers odds

INJURY REPORT

Green Bay

Questionable: CB Jaire Alexander (Shoulder), T David Bakhtiari (Knee), WR Randall Cobb (Abdominal)

The Packers could elect to keep their starters off the field for most of this game, if not all of this game. This is due to rest and not injury related.

Detroit

Questionable: QB Jared Goff (Knee)

Out: TE T.J. Hockenson, CB Jeff Okudah, WR Quintez Cephus

Plenty of players are on the COVID list but could come off the list on both teams. Some could come off the list in the next couple of days prior to game time.

Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions Betting Line Movement

Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions Prediction

Analytics isn't going to help us with this game. But it's more than likely that Jordan Love will get the start for the Packers in this game. If he doesn't get the start, he'll more than likely see most of game action instead of Aaron Rodgers.

Everyone's been waiting for Love to show off his skill. He was going to be the starting quarterback if Rodgers didn't come back.

However, on the season, he's thrown for 277 yards along with one touchdown and one interception. On 45 attempts, when he's been given the chance, Love has a QBR of 33.9. But at this point, if Love can't figure out how to beat the Lions, Love isn't the answer at quarterback in the future.

The Lions just allowed 51 points to the Seahawks and have given up ridiculous scores throughout the entire season, to non-playoff teams like the Seahawks and Broncos.

I don't have much faith in Love, but against the Lions, I'd expect him to produce. This is his once chance to prove he belongs in the league, even if it's against the Lions. If he wants the starting job when Rodgers leaves, this is the game he'll have to prove it.

Meanwhile, the Lions are 2-13-1 and are fighting for a top draft pick. There's likely no reason to rush quarterback Jared Goff back to play in this game. Currently, at the time of writing these, he's questionable, but I'm thinking it'll be Tim Boyle getting the start here.

So this game will more than likely be between Boyle and Love. I'd have to side with the under in this game. The defenses are going to be fighting for jobs and the offenses just won't have the firepower to score points.

Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions Pick

• Under 43.5 (-110)