Packers vs Lions preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info
By Josh Wilson
Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers travel to Ford Field to face off against Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions. This Thursday night game was preceded by Thanksgiving day games for both teams last Thursday, so both teams have had a full week of rest and preparation. This is a pivotal game for the Packers, who are beginning to see their hopes of winning the NFC North slip right in front of them.
Details for Thursday’s game are below:
Date: Thursday, December 3rd, 2015.
Start Time: 8:25 PM ET
Location: Detroit, Michigan.
Stadium: Ford Field
TV Info: NFL Network
Live Stream: Watch NFL Network and the NFL Mobile App
Radio: XM 88 (National), 1360 AM (Green Bay), 97.1 FM (Detroit).
Ticket information: For Detroit Lions ticket info click here. For Green Bay Packers ticket info click here.
Keys to victory
The Green Bay Packers are coming off of a tough loss to the Chicago Bears on their home field, and really need a win if they want to keep any sort of shot at winning the NFC North. There’s a few things they really have to make sure they do if they want to beat the Detroit Lions.
Aaron Rodgers is a big part of the game for the Packers. He needs to bounce back after a lackluster week in week 12, only completing 51% of his passes, and throwing just as many interceptions as he did touchdowns (1). His quarterback rating was at a season low 62.4, and he’s got to get that up to give the Packers any remote shot at beating the Lions, who are coming off of a huge win. His yards gained per pass attempt was at a low 4.70.
Eddie Lacy held it down for Green Bay during Rodgers’ poor play last week, and needs to do so again this week. At least one touchdown and 100 yards from Lacy would set the Packers up nicely to win this game, as long as Rodgers holds up his end of the deal.
The Detroit Lions, on the other hand, are coming off of a win against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Lions are fairly far out of being in the hunt for the playoffs, so they have a little less to play for than the Packers, but still, an inter-divisional game always stirs up competition.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford is coming off of a five-touchdown game on Thanksgiving, and keeping that going against the Packers would set the Lions up for a win. Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson will be key factors, as the Lions do like to air it out for their touchdowns.
Johnson, better known as “Megatron,” was targeted 14 times last week and had three touchdowns. Tate had a touchdown of his own as well.
The matchup between the Packers defense and the Lions receivers will be the one to watch tonight, as even if the Clay Matthews and the Packers can rush Stafford, he can still do damage as long as he gets a pass out to Johnson or Tate.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix of the Packers will be a defender to watch, and likely will be keeping an eye on Johnson all night. So far this season he has two sacks.
Betting odds
Point spread: Detroit, -2.5
Money line: Green Bay -134
O/U: 47
Prediction
Final score: Green Bay Packers: 28, Detroit Lions: 17