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Packers vs. Lions Prediction, Odds, Against Spread and Over/Under for NFL Week 18

By Matt De Saro

Despite having locked down the top seed in the NFC, Aaron Rodgers wants him and the rest of the starters to play Week 18 against the Lions.
Despite having locked down the top seed in the NFC, Aaron Rodgers wants him and the rest of the starters to play Week 18 against the Lions. / Dan Powers / USA TODAY NETWORK
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The odds for the Packers vs. Lions game was the last to be released due to the fact that the Packers have zero reason to play Aaron Rodgers and their other starters in Week 18. When the odds broke, it was pretty shocking to see that the Packers were mere 3-point favorites over the worst team in the NFC North.

This heavily implies that Rodgers and Co. will not be playing in this game. However, if Rodgers’ recent comments are to be believed, he and the starters are planning to play in this game.

In a postgame interview after the Packers beat the Vikings, Rodgers said plainly as day, “I’m going to play next week. I expect Davante to play, and our guys to play.” While recent events have made me second guess anything Rodgers says, this feels more like a demand and less like a request by the reigning MVP. 

Here are the current odds for this Week 18 clash, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Packers vs. Lions, Spread, and Total Odds

Spread:

  • Packers -3 (-110)
  • Lions +3 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Packers -155
  • Lions +127

Total:

  • 44 (Over -110/Under -110)

Packers vs. Lions Betting Trends

  • The Packers are 12-3 against the spread (ATS) in their last 15 games. 
  • The Packers are 5-0 straight-up (SU) in their last five games. 
  • The Packers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven road games. 
  • The Lions are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games. 
  • The Lions are 3-16 in their last 19 home games. 

Packers vs. Lions Prediction and Pick

It goes without saying that barring some divine intervention, the Lions will get crushed if Rodgers, Adams, and the rest of the starters suit up for this game. While the Packers might want to rest Rodgers’ and his toe issue, the QB said that Week 17 was the first week that he didn’t require a pregame painkiller shot.

If Rodgers were to sit out, because the Packers have a first-round bye, he wouldn’t see game action until January 22nd or 23rd in the second round. That is a long time in between snaps for a quarterback. It is clearly more important that Rodgers keeps the momentum alive heading into the playoffs and even said he wanted to put in extra practice this week. 

Matt LaFleur said in his postgame interview that leaving his players on the shelf for two weeks seems like a long time. This suggests that LaFleur might feel the same way as Rodgers and fight to get his players on the field. 

Truthfully, the Lions are bad enough that the Packers could probably beat them with a limited roster. But, as of right now, it seems reasonable to assume that the Packers starters will at least put in some work in Week 18. Therefore, this should be an easy win. 

Pick: Packers -3 (-110)

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