Green Bay Packers (13-3) vs. Detroit Lions (2-13-1)
January 9, 2022 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Detroit Lions +11 ; Over/Under: 46.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers do battle Sunday afternoon in week 18 NFL action from Ford Field. Green Bay is currently 13-3 on the year. The Packers beat Minnesota in their last game. As for Detroit, they’re 2-13-1 and coming off a loss to the Seahawks. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Green Bay managed a 7-1 run to start the year, then lost two of three games to the Chiefs and Vikings. Since then the Packers have taken out the Rams, Bears, Ravens, Browns and Vikings in succession over the last five games.
In the Vikings matchup last weekend, Green Bay went into halftime with a nice 20-3 lead. The Packers cruised from there in a 37-10 blowout win. QB Aaron Rodgers finished on 288 yards and two scores, while Aaron Jones led the rush with 76 yards on eight carries.
Over on the Detroit side, it’s been another lost season. The Lions were 0-10-1 to start the year, then won two of three over the Vikings and Cardinals. Detroit has since lost to the Falcons and Seahawks in their last pair of outings.
In the Seahawks game, Detroit was drilled 31-7 in the first half. It didn’t get much better from there in a 51-29 defeat. QB Tim Boyle finished on 262 yards with two scores and three picks. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught eight balls for 111 yards and a TD.
The Packers are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 versus the NFC and 6-1 ATS versus a team with a losing record. Green Bay is 5-1 ATS in their last six versus the NFC North.
Meanwhile, the Lions are 7-0 ATS in their last seven after an ATS loss and 4-1 ATS in their last five versus the NFC. Detroit is 6-2 ATS in their last eight at home.
PICK: I’m probably still going with Green Bay here. That said, I could see Detroit sneaking into a late cover if the Packers pull their key starters late and play garbage-time football in the second half. These teams last met way back on September 20 in a 35-17 Packers victory. Green Bay scored in every quarter there and shut down the Lions in the second half for zero points. It may not be such a big win here, but I still think the Packers have the inside track on a cover.
