New Year New Packers. All year long the Packers have been lackluster and unable to put together a complete game. The defense and special team unit gave the offense a valuable head start. Initially, the Packers allowing Minnesota to block their opening punt and end up within the 10-yard line looked like dire circumstances until the defense held. What happened next was the catalyst for an afternoon of whoop ass. If the magnificent return by Keisean Nixon ignited a fire in Lambeau then Darnell Savage’s pick-six was the meth house that exploded the roof off. Green Bay never looked back and the team was playing with uncanny confidence. Seeing Jaire hit the griddy on Jefferson so early in the game was blatant disrespect and the entire defense made a joint effort to pummel the Viking offense all afternoon.
Now this week, Green Bay somehow has a bigger test in the Detroit Lions. The long-time loser to the East is running like a hungry dog or in their case, a big cat. Early this season the Lions defended their home field in a 15-9 victory that jumpstarted their winning streak and potential return to the playoffs after a long absence. The NFL flexed this premier matchup to Sunday Night Football with the hopes that its win and get in for both teams. If Green Bay wins, they secure their spot while Detroit needs Seattle to lose earlier in the day to have anything besides pride on the line.
Detroit’s defense has performed well and their offense has come alive with two RBs in D’Andre Swift and loveable ex-Packer Jamaal Williams. Jared Goff has improved with Amon Ra St. Brown and a healthy DJ Chark as his primary weapons. Rookie speedster Jameson Williams might’ve been the best receiver not named Christian Watson in this draft class had he not been injured. Green Bay will have its hands full with the talent of Detroit.
Aaron Rodgers
Passing Attempts o34.5 (-120) Lower
Passing Completions o22.5 (+100) Higher
Passing Yards o253.5 (-115) Higher
Passing TDs o1.5 (-129) Higher
Detroit is dead last in points allowed to QBs while being 17th in attempts per game from QBs showing QBs can be impactful and efficient with 33.31 attempts on average and only 21 completions. Where they falter is being 30th in passing yards allowed. They’re susceptible to QB runs granted numbers are skewed from getting mauled by Justin Fields.
Aaron Jones
Rushing Yards o60.5(-110) Higher
Receptions o2.5 (-150) Lower
Receiving Yards o19.5 (-110) Lower
AJ Dillon
Rushing Yards o44.5 (-110) Lower
Receptions o1.5 (-148) Higher
Receiving Yards o10.5 (-117) Higher
Detroit allows at least 100 yards rushing which is middle of the league although they give up TDs to the position at the 3rd highest rate. Where Detroit does well is defending receptions from RBs. They’re #1 in receptions and receiving yards per game allowed to RBs.
Allen Lazard
Receptions – o3.5 (-160) Higher
Receiving Yards – o50 (-115) Higher
Christian Watson
Receptions – o4.5 (+126) Higher
Receiving Yards – o52.5(-114) Higher
Detroit is 31st in points per game allowed to WRs and yards allowed to the position. This is an incredible opportunity for the Packers offense to have success in this final week before the potential gauntlet of a playoff. The Lions limit WR touchdowns by not ranking in the bottom 10 of that category.
Bobby Tonyan
Receptions o2.5 (-102) Higher
Receiving Yards o24.5 (-112) Higher
Bobby shined against Minnesota with great blocking which earned him a wide-open touchdown. The Lions are 29th against TEs. The Lions are middle of the field allowing 4.5 catches and 50 yards per game to the position. Where they suffer is being dead last in TDs allowed to TEs. Not a good look especially when you have a guy named Bobby Touchdowns getting hot just before he sees your defense.
Outlook
Detroit has had its little romantic story of never giving up and blah blah blah. The Packers are a team of destiny who despite tough times have powered through and have the world believing in them again. A real underdog story the people will love to see on national television. LaFleur, Barry, and Bisaccia still have plays that make you question if anyone is paying attention or not but they have the team playing aggressive and dominant football at the moment. Detroit may have nothing to play for at kickoff which either means they lose motivation or the fresh news of early exit makes them vengeful. Either way with the game on the line I will always trust the more experienced team.
Green Bay builds our hopes high again with a 31-24 win
#GoPackGO
