Packers-Lions Line Shifting Back Towards Green Bay

The Green Bay Packers aren’t going to completely take Week 18 against the Detroit Lions off even though they have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC. 

While the opening odds at WynnBET Sportsbook for this game suggested that Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and others may be taking the week off, Rodgers plans to play in Week 18 to end the season “on a high note.”

"This is the first game that my toe got through the game without any issues, no pregame painkiller shot, so I'm feeling good," Rodgers said. "I'm happy about it. There was definitely a time a few weeks ago when we started to project and think if we could get the one seed, it could be two-plus weeks of rest, but I'm going to play next week and I expect Davante (Adams) to play and our guys to play, so we're looking forward to finishing off the season on a high note and then getting the bye."

The Packers have moved from 2.5-point favorites to now 4-point favorites at WynnBET Sportsbook in Week 18. 

Packers vs. Lions Odds, Spread and Total

Spread: 

• Packers -4 (-110)
• Lions +4 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Packers: -195
• Lions: +160

Total:

• 44.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

While it appears that Rodgers and the starters will see the field this week, it remains to be seen for how long. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t commit to a timetable for how long he will leave his starters out there in Week 18. 

"That does seem, for me right now speaking, like a long time," LaFleur said of a two-week break on Monday. "We'll kinda play it by ear. We'll have conversations tomorrow certainly with our staff, we'll definitely have talks with our players, and we'll make the best decision for us. But if you ask me right now, I'd say my gut is that these guys are going to play at least a little bit next week."

Green Bay is tied for the best record against the spread in the NFL this season at 12-4 with the Dallas Cowboys. 

The Packers did cover, although they lost, against the Kansas City Chiefs when Rodgers was out of the lineup due to COVID-19. If backup Jordan Love sees the majority of the playing time in Week 18, this Packers’ offense will be hard to trust considering it scored just seven points in Love’s lone start this season. 

Detroit has been solid covering the spread in the 2021 campaign, going 10-6 through the first 16 weeks ATS. 

Personally, I would lean towards Green Bay as long as Rodgers plays, but this can be a tricky game to handicap unless LaFleur gives an exact timetable for how long his stars will stay in.