Green Bay vs. Detroit Prediction: Sputtering NFC North Teams Meet in the Motor City

Packers look to end their four-game losing streak against a Lions team that's dropped five in a row.

Author:
Matt Josephs (Mid Major Matt)
Publish date:
Nov 4, 2022

It's an NFC North battle as the Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Detroit snapped a five-game losing streak in this divisional rivalry last year, earning a split of the two meetings. The Lions fell 35-17 in Green Bay early in the 2021 campaign but then picked up a 37-30 home victory towards the end of the schedule. Aaron Rodgers had just nine total incompletions in the two contests, although that will be hard for him to approach this week.

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The Packers began this season 3-1 with all the hopes of another division title, but have lost four straight with the latest being a 27-17 defeat on "Sunday Night Football" to the Bills. Aaron Jones did his part with 143 rushing yards on 20 carries, but the passing attack underwhelmed and the Packers struggled to get stops when needed. Rodgers finished with two touchdown passes but only 203 yards on 19 completions. He was without Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, so the likes of Samori Toure, Amari Rodgers, and Josiah Deguara were among those to catch passes from the legendary QB.

The Lions (1-6) have lost five in a row since a 36-27 Week 2 win over the Commanders. Detroit's issues last week weren't on offense, putting up 27 points, but Miami countered with 31. Jared Goff was a solid 27-of-37 for 321 yards and a touchdown, but the defense allowed almost 500 yards. The secondary struggled to slow down Tua Tagovailoa, who had three touchdown passes and just seven incompletions. This feeble effort led to the firing of the defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant, although more significant changes could be forthcoming.

Green Bay (3-5) at Detroit (1-6)

Kickoff: Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Spread: Packers -3.5
Tickets: As low as $78 on SITickets.com*

Three Things to Watch

1. Intangibles
There shouldn't be any scheduling issues for either team considering their current predicament, but if one team was to have one, it would be the Packers. This is their third straight road game, although none of the travel has been all that difficult. This contest is sandwiched though in between games with the Bills and a home matchup with the Cowboys next Sunday. It begins a run of four games in 21 days for Green Bay. Detroit is playing its third game since a bye week and its second straight at home. The next two contests are away from home, so this one takes on a little bit more importance.

2. Will Rodgers find himself in Detroit?
The Packers had one of the most balanced game plans possible in Buffalo with 31 passes to 30 rushes. For weeks, everyone was screaming for them to run the ball more, which they finally did and averaged 6.7 yards per carry in the process. It'll be interesting to see how Green Bay approaches this game considering Detroit is 27th against the pass, allowing 266.4 yards per contest.

However, if the Packers have any shot at turning this season around, they need their signal-caller to right the ship, so I could see them returning to their old ways of throwing it more with some runs to keep teams honest. Rodgers has piled up 15 touchdown passes with just two interceptions vs. the Lions since the 2019 season.

3. Lions pride
Some saw the Lions as a preseason dark horse team that would improve and potentially challenge for the division. Those thoughts didn't wane after the 1-1 start to the season, as they gave the Eagles a game in Week 1 and outscored the Commanders by nine in Week 2. Two one-possession losses later and the Lions were staring at 1-4 as they entered a really early bye week. Detroit now sits at 1-6 knowing pretty much that there's going to be another season without the playoffs. The talent is there on offense, especially as D'Andre Swift gets another week past his shoulder injury, but the tight losses have to be wearing on them. The Packers' defense can be beaten, as they've allowed 27 points to three of their last four opponents including both New York teams.

Final Analysis

I really want to pick the Lions in this one. The talent is there, but the problem is that when it comes down to making those two or three winning plays, they just don't do it. The spread tells everyone that this is not your Packers of the past, as they haven't been favored by this little in Detroit since 2018 when they were a one-point underdog. Still, if there was ever an opponent for Rodgers to get healthy against, it would be these Lions. Fire up the scoreboard and watch another shootout involving the Lions.