Green Bay Packers predictions: Week 14 at Detroit
The Green Bay Packers (9-3) could clinch their second consecutive NFC North crown Sunday.
To do so, the rival Minnesota Vikings (6-6) would have to lose to Tampa Bay (7-5). And, of course, the Packers need to defeat the Detroit Lions (5-7).
Green Bay has won its last three meetings with Detroit, including a 42-21 victory in Week 2 earlier this season. The Packers racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense against Detroit’s struggling defense in that matchup. Aaron Rodgers and company could definitely put up big numbers once again.
However, Detroit rallied around interim head coach Darrell Bevell last week and took down Chicago 34-30. Will the momentum carry into Week 14? And are any NFL experts bold enough to pick a Lions upset?
Here’s this week’s Packers predictions from around the web:
Barry Wilner of the Associated Press: Packers 37, Lions 20. “The Packers can clinch the NFC North, and should do so emphatically.”
Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times: Packers 38, Lions 24. “The Packers have won four of five, and are putting up at least 30 points on a routine basis. They should be able to do that easily against the Lions, who were handed a 42-21 loss to Green Bay in Week 2.”
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com: Packers 35, Lions 25. “The Packers are rolling on offense. I don’t see the Lions slowing down Aaron Rodgers and that explosive unit. The Lions will score some as well, but in the end this will come down to the Green Bay offense continuing to play well. Packers take it.”
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NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal: Packers 38, Lions 27. “The Lions’ offense was different last week under interim coach Darrell Bevell, playing faster, running less and not worrying about trying to cover for a defense that’s going to be dreadful regardless. Aaron Rodgers is different this year, too, getting the ball out in rhythm because there are so many open receivers, rather than trying to improvise and rely on his skill set. The Packers’ transformation feels more permanent.”
Will Brinson of CBSSports.com: Lions 35, Packers 31. “Honestly, the only reason to watch this game is to bet on Davante Adams scoring the first touchdown. He’s 5-1 every week and he should be -110 the way he’s hitting. Adams this season on first touchdowns is like Tiger Woods in his prime at majors. Shattering obscenely low odds on a weekly basis. Bet that, expect a shootout, pick the Lions to cover and enjoy.”
John Breech of CBSSports.com: Packers 30, Lions 23.
Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News: Packers 34, Lions 21. “(The Packers) are rolling offensively with Aaron Jones back joining the party with Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. The Lions have zero answers for any of them as Green Bay can pass and run at will here with no mistakes. Detroit doesn’t run well enough to stay in the game and eventually Matthew Stafford succumbs to sacks and giveaways.”
The Miami Herald’s Greg Cote: Packers 41, Lions 23. “Gee Bees clinch NFC North title with win if Vikings lose at Tampa. Pack is on a 9-1 run in division games and handled Motown by a three-touchdown margin in first meeting. What’s changed? You how these Aaron Rodgers-Matthew Stafford shootouts tend to go. Give Lions a better shot if both Kenny Golladay and D.Andre Swift are back; otherwise, let’s not reinvent the wheel on this one.”
Bill Bender of the Sporting News: Packers 27, Lions 24. “The Packers can clinch the NFC North with a win and a Vikings loss, but it won’t be as easy as it looks at Detroit. The Lions played loose under interim coach Darrell Bevell, and the teams have split the last four meetings at Ford Field. Will Green Bay close out their division rival?”
Jonathan Jones of CBSSports.com: Packers.
Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com: Packers 35, Lions 20. “If you’re looking for a key stat to convince you to take the Packers this week, here it is: Green Bay is 6-1 against the spread and 7-0 straight up vs. teams who are below .500, and they have won those games by an average of 14.4 points. Congratulations to the Lions for taking down a divisional rival in the Chicago Bears last week in their first game without Matt Patricia, but I don’t think they are going to give the Packers that close of a game.”
Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski: Packers.
Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Bay Area: Packers 27, Lions 23. “Detroit got a new coach bump and miraculously rallied to beat the Bears in Week 13. But Matthew Stafford still doesn’t look right and the reliance on Adrian Peterson is a little scary.”
Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith and Mike Florio: MDS – Packers 24, Lions 21. Florio – Packers 31, Lions 17. “Last week’s win gives the Lions slim hopes for the postseason. Those hopes will be dashed by Aaron Rodgers.”
Oliver Hodgkinson of Pro Football Network: Packers 34, Lions 24. “Aaron Jones was the driving force behind the 42-21 win in Week 2. He should feature prominently against a rushing defense that has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL this season. The Lions haven’t been much better in the passing game either. Davante Adams should add another touchdown to his season tally as a result of that poor defense.”
Sportsnaut’s Vincent Frank: Packers 38, Lions 17.
All six MMQB analysts at SI.com are picking the Packers.
All three writers at Athlon Sports think the Packers will win.
Nine of 10 SB Nation writers predict a Packers victory. A writer for SB Nation’s Philadelphia Eagles blog was the only one to prognosticate a Lions upset.
All six PennLive.com writers pick Green Bay.
