NFL
By: Monte Perez
When: Sunday, Jan 8th
Time: 8:20 PM
Betting line: Packers favored by 4.5 points
The Green Bay Packers will host the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night in Lambeau Field.If the Packers win they are in the playoffs. The Lions need to win and hope for the Seattle Seahawks to lose to the Los Angeles Rams. Both of these teams are coming into this game playing very good football.
The Packers:
Green Bay has won 4 games in a row and appears to be peaking at the right time. Last weekend they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 41-17. The Packers scored five different ways against the Vikings.
- Kick return for a TD.
- Interception return for a TD.
- Mason Crosby kicked a field goal.
- Aaron Rodgers threw for a 25-yard TD pass.
- AJ Dillon Rushed for a 2-yard touchdown.
Rodgers has not had a typical year. He has 11 interceptions for the first time in over a decade, but he has 25 touchdown passes and is completing 64.7% of his passes. The Packers rely on Dillon and Aaron Jones to run the ball early and often to set up their passing game. Both Jones and Allen Lazard lead the team with 56 receptions. This defense has played a lot better as of late. Over their past 4 games, they haven’t let up more than 20 points and they have caused a ton of turnovers.
Detroit Lions:
The Lions have won 4 out of 5 games and are looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2016. Detroit has only made the playoffs three times since 2000 and has not gotten passed the Wild Card Round. The Lions offense has been productive all year long. They have a top 5 offense line, two very good running backs in Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift, and Amon-Ra St. Brown has 100 catches on the season. Jared Goff has 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. As good as Detroit’s offense has been, their defense is equally as bad. They are last in the NFL, giving up 414.3 yards per game, and ranked 29th in the NFL, giving up 25.7 points per contest.
Prediction:
The Packers are playing at home to clinch a playoff berth. Will Dan Campbells’ inexperience and emotions get the better of him? I expect Matt LaFleur’s offense to come out and early establish the run game. Look For Jones and Dillon to both rush for over 100 yards. The Lions playoff dreams come crashing to an end. The more experienced and better-coached team wins this one. Rodgers and Tom Brady will be back in the postseason.
GB..33 Lions 20
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