We have one of the most exciting games of the year on tap when the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers take the field this week for Thursday Night Football. Usually, Thursday Night Football is played by two teams on short rest, but since both teams played on Thanksgiving, they both will have a week to prepare for this matchup.
When two of the top teams in the NFC take the field with first place in the NFC North on the line, who should you back? Let’s take a closer look at the game. Here’s our preview, which includes a prediction, using the best NFL odds from the top sportsbooks.
NFL Pick: Over 51.5 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Packers vs. Lions
Thursday, December 05, 2024 – 08:15 PM ET at Ford Field
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are coming off an easy win over a Miami Dolphins team that struggles outdoors. The Packers got ahead early and Miami never looked to have a chance in that game. The win improved the Packers to 9-3 which is good for third place in the elite NFC North.
The Packers are led by young quarterback Jordan Love who has thrown for 2500 yards this season with 20 TDs and 11 interceptions. The Packers have a balanced offensive attack behind the strength of running back Josh Jacobs. Jacobs can be tough to bring down as his eight touchdowns and 987 yards this season attest. The Packers are 5th in the league in rushing yards per game at 148.5 and are 8th in the league in points scored at 26.5.
The Packers have one of the better offenses overall and are third in the league in yards per game at 382.8. They will face a tough test against the Detroit Lions defense who is 10th in the league in yards allowed at 320.3 and 5th in the league in rushing yards allowed at 93.5. So when the Packers line up to run the ball against the Lions, it’ll be strength versus strength. The strength of the Packers’ rushing attack versus the strength of the Lions’ rushing defense.
These two teams have played once before this season. On November 3, the Lions traveled to Green Bay and won that game 24-14. Love threw a costly pick-six in that matchup. While the Packers are strong, they’re going to need smarter play from their young quarterback if they’re going to emerge on top in this pivotal game.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions got out to an early lead in their Thanksgiving matchup against their division rival, the Chicago Bears. It looked to be an easy victory until the Lions offense went dormant and the Chicago Bears offense stormed back in the second half. It took some historical ineptitude in terms of clock management by the Bears for the Lions to escape with the win. The Lions definitely could have lost this game and look vulnerable heading into this week’s matchup.
Even though the Lions have the best record in the league and some of the best statistics in the league, the growing injuries are a cause for concern for the Lions and their fans. Did the Lions peak too early?
In the win over the Bears, the Lions lost LB Malcolm Rodriguez (knee), DE Josh Paschal (knee), DL Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring), and DL Mekhi Wingo (knee). These growing injuries could be the cause of heartbreak for this Lions season that is going so well.
Key Matchup
The Packers have been running the ball well which sets up their passing offense. However, the Lions are strong at stopping the run and do not allow teams to get big chunks on early downs. How much of that rushing defense will be negated by the number of injuries suffered in the last game? As the Lions’ injuries mount, will they still be effective against the run?
The Packers are going to need a big game from Josh Jacobs if they’re going to get the upset here. Look for the Packers to use Jacobs early and often, and if he’s able to have a big game, the Packers have a great chance to cover the spread and maybe win it outright. If the depleted Lions unit can slow down Jacobs and turn the Packers into a one-dimensional team, the Lions have a chance to beat their division rival one more time.
NFL Pick
I like the Lions to win this game; however, I’m not interested in laying the 3.5 points in what should be a hard-fought battle.
Instead, I’m going to expect both offenses to look great in this matchup. Both teams have been putting up points and four of the last six matchups between these teams would go over this week’s total of 51.
The Packers have also gone over the total in four of their last five divisional road games. The Lions have gone over in four of their last five divisional home games. In the last 10 divisional home games for the Lions, six of them have gone over 51 points.
Betting the side in this one is tough, I’m going to take the easy way out and bet on both teams’ offenses to put on a show. Expect some fireworks this Thursday night. Take the over.
NFL Pick: Over 51.5 (-110) at Bet365
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