Will the Packers make the last-minute play-off?

Will we see the final resurrection of Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers on Sunday night? It’s been just four weeks since we wrote about a must-win game for the Packers against the Rams. This week’s Packers vs. Lions tip is now their fourth straight final game since then.

However, the Lions may still have the playoffs at stake as well. If the Seahawks lose to the Rams a few hours earlier, this game is also still a final for Detroit to make the postseason.

Why the NFL does not have these two decisive games for the NFC playoffs played at the same time is anyone’s guess, and there are many indications that the NFL officials would much rather have the Packers in the postseason than the Seahawks.

If Seattle loses, they are out, if they win, the Lions are out and could lose motivation against the Packers. The NFL’s calculation will probably work out and so our prediction for Green Bay vs. Detroit is a fairly easy win for the Packers at home in Lambeau Field.

Kickoff of this last Sunday Night game of the Regular Season is on Monday night at 02:20 in Green Bay. The game can be watched live on DAZN.

Green Bay Packers – Statistics & current form

There was just one more. The Packers need to win just one more game to cap their race to the playoff spots and clinch the seventh and final playoff spot. And then Aaron Rodgers and Co. would also be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.

Only three teams in the league currently have a longer winning streak than Green Bay, and especially the last two victories did not come against weak teams (Dolphins and Vikings). The win against Minnesota was also a real exclamation point from top to bottom.

Even the special teams are scoring

For years, special teams were Green Bay’s big weakness, costing them numerous games, but that has changed of late. Their punt and kickoff return unit in particular is considered one of the strongest in the NFL.

Punt returner Keisian Nixon is a real weapon and put a return of over 105 yards on the field for a touchdown against the Vikings. Not his first long return in recent weeks. This additional weapon suits Aaron Ringers and his team very well.

Rodgers himself didn’t have to have any outstanding games to win against both Miami and Minnesota. Only one touchdown pass per game was enough. Against the Dolphins, he even managed an interception.

Defence and running game also strong

While both the Packers defence and their running game were much in need of improvement over the first half of the season, these two parts of the team have also contributed a lot to their success recently. A resurgent AJ Dillon has now scored in five straight games (6 touchdowns).

Their defence, too, was hardly recognisable in the last four games. While they allowed 31.7 points per game on days 11 to 13, they allowed only 17.0 points per game on the following four days.

This enormous increase and the home advantage should also be too much for the Lions on Sunday – even if they are known for never giving up. Nevertheless, the odds on the Packers in Green Bay vs. Detroit are our clear betting recommendation.

Key Players:
QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB: Aaron Jones
WR: Christian Watson
TE: Robert Tonyan
K: Mason Crosby

Detroit Lions – Statistics & current form

It won’t be an easy game day mentally for the Lions. Because they will not know until a few minutes before their own game whether everything is still at stake for them or already nothing – thanks to the NFL game schedule.

If the Seahawks win, which we actually think they will, then it’s just a matter of finishing the season well for Detroit. Of course, with a win they would also ruin the playoffs for the hated Packers, but playing against someone never releases the same forces as playing for yourself.

Lions currently in top form

It would be quite a treat to watch the Lions in their current form in the playoffs. They have won seven of their last nine games, at times outplaying their opponents (40-14 against Jaguars, 41-10 against Bears).

If the Lions are still in contention for the playoffs, the Packers will have to dress warmly – even at Lambeau Field. Detroit, for example, averaged a strong 30.6 points in its last eight games.

So one of the best defenses in recent weeks (Packers) and one of the best offenses (Lions) will meet on Sunday. However, as we would rate the Green Bays offence slightly better than the Lions defence (25.7 conceded points on average – fourth worst in the league), the Packers are clearly to be favoured.

The future belongs to the Lions

With their still very young core of D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, James Houston and Aidan Hutchinson, however, we can expect a lot from Detroit in the coming years. Even if it’s just not enough for the postseason this season.

For Packers vs. Lions, a bet on Green Bay is our preferred bet, even with a handicap of up to -5 points. Too many factors (home field advantage, playoff chance, momentum) simply speak for the slightly more experienced Packers team.

Key Players:
QB: Jared Goff
RB: Jamaal Williams
WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown
TE: Brock Wright
K: Michel Badgley

Green Bay Packers – Detroit Lions Head-to-head comparison / H2H record

The last duel in early November went 15-9 to the Lions, but that was before the Packers’ surge. Since then, they’ve only lost two games. Detroit also traditionally has a hard time at Lambeau Field.

The Lions have won just three of the last 20 meetings in Green Bay. Even in this very mixed season for Green Bay, they are 5-3 at home, with one loss coming in London, not Lambeau Field.

All in all, we just don’t see how Detroit is going to beat this experienced bunch led by one of the best quarterbacks of our time in such a crucial game. For Packers vs. Detroit, the odds for Packers -5 are thus our No. 1 betting option.

Green Bay Packers – Detroit Lions Tip

It’s all going Green Bay’s way right now. They are on a run, their opponents are making mistakes without end and then the NFL is also helping a little bit with the schedule to increase their chances of making the playoffs. So there are few reasons not to bet on them.

For Packers vs. Lions, betting Green Bay -5 is our favourite bet, followed by half-time/final score bets per Green Bay. Especially if the Seahawks win beforehand, that could deal such a knockout blow to the Lions right before the game starts that they will start slowly in the game.

Of course, the alternative is to bet on AJ Dillon to score a touchdown. He has always found the end zone in the last five games and even scored twice against the Rams.