Odds Lions Beat Packers in Week 4
The Lions travel to Lambeau Field Thursday night for a must-see NFC North divisional clash with the Green Bay Packers.
Jared Goff and the Lions have beaten the Packers three straight times, with the most recent win coming in the 2022 season finale at Lambeau Field.
Detroit played spoiler in the aforementioned Week 18 contest. It not only beat Aaron Rodgers in his very last game as Packers quarterback, but it also prevented Green Bay from clinching a spot in the playoffs as a wild card team.
It was the definition of an instant classic between the divisional foes, with the Lions scoring the game-deciding touchdown – via a Jamaal Williams 1-yard rushing score – with 5:55 to play in the game.
Fast-forward to Thursday's Week 4 game, which should end up being a highly-contested matchup between the NFC North's two best teams.
The Packers, now led by Jordan Love under center, are coming off a come-from-behind victory against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. They scored 18 unanswered points – and entirely in the fourth quarter – to defeat the Saints, 18-17.
Meanwhile, Goff & Co. are coming off a 20-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Lions led the entire way, and stymied the Falcons' offensive attack. Detroit, in fact, recorded seven sacks of Atlanta passer Desmond Ridder, and limited Falcons star first-year back Bijan Robinson to a season-low 33 rushing yards.
The Lions have a solid chance of curtailing Green Bay's production on the ground, and running the football well Thursday. These two elements could be key to Detroit beating Green Bay for a fourth consecutive time.
Through three weeks, Aaron Glenn's defense has allowed the fifth-fewest total rushing yards (216) and the fifth-fewest yards per carry (3.2). Meanwhile, Detroit has produced the 11th-most yards on the ground (335).
In stark contrast, the Packers have rushed for 271 yards – the 10th-lowest mark in the league – and have permitted 410 yards on the ground (the sixth-highest total through three games).
Fortunately for Detroit, it could also be getting back running back David Montgomery and left tackle Taylor Decker in time for Thursday's primetime tilt. It'd certainly serve as a boost for the team's run game against Green Bay.
Despite all the above factors potentially working in favor of the Lions, it's never easy going into Lambeau Field and prevailing victorious.
At this present juncture, I'll give Dan Campbell's squad a 60 percent chance of securing the Week 4 win.
