Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions 2017: Prediction, Betting Odds For Week 17 Sunday Night Football

While most of the games on the Week 17 schedule have little meaning for either team involved, there is plenty on the line for “Sunday Night Football.” The Green Bay Packers visit the Detroit Lions in a battle for the NFC North title, and the loser will likely miss the playoffs altogether.

If the Washington Redskins defeat the New York Giants Sunday afternoon, Sunday night’s contest becomes an elimination game for Green Bay and Detroit. Considering Washington is a heavy favorite against a New York team that has nothing to play for and is likely to rest their starters, the regular season finale will probably be the end of either the Packers’ or Lions’ Super Bowl hopes.

Green Bay and Detroit are tied with 9-6 records, though the Packers own the tiebreaker heading into Week 17. The Packers defeated the Lions handily when they met in Week 3, and their second matchup could be more of the same.

Since starting the season at 4-6, Green Bay has been the NFC’s hottest team. During their five-game winning streak, the Packers have looked like the biggest threats to the Super Bowl favorite New England Patriots, led by arguably the best player in football.

When Aaron Rodgers is at his best, he’s the NFL’s top quarterback. The two-time MVP has been unstoppable in the last six games, throwing 14 touchdown passes and no interceptions. Rodgers has posted a passer rating of at least 108.9 in five of those contests, and he’s likely to have another big game against Detroit.

All the Lions needed to make the playoffs was one win in their final three games, but they enter Sunday’s contest on a two-game losing streak. Detroit has recorded nine victories by making eight fourth-quarter comebacks with few impressive wins on their resume. Having lost to the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys in consecutive weeks, the Lions don’t have a win over a team that’s currently in the playoffs.

Detroit’s loss in their Week 3 visit to Green Bay was their first of four defeats against current postseason teams. The Packers jumped out to a 31-3 lead, holding off a late comeback and winning by seven points. Rodgers threw for 205 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes for Detroit, and the Lions totaled just 50 rushing yards on 23 attempts.

Stafford didn’t get much help in the team’s first game against Green Bay, and that’s how it’s gone for most of the season. Only two teams have fewer rushing yards than the Lions, and Detroit ranks in the middle of the pack in total defense.

The Lions’ quarterback has been terrific this season, and he at least gives Detroit a chance against their division rivals. He’ll be facing one of the NFL’s worst secondaries, and the Packers rank 26th in opponents’ passer rating. Green Bay’s offense, however, will likely be too much for Detroit to handle.

Unlike Stafford, Rodgers has been aided by a much-improved running game. Ty Montgomery has emerged as a more than viable replacement for the injured Eddie Lacy, averaging 6.0 yards per carry on 69 attempts. In their last three games, the Lions have surrendered an average of 123 yards on 4.7 yards per carry.

Green Bay is up to a 3.5-point favorite at Las Vegas and online sportsbooks, via OddsShark, and the over/under is 48. The Packers should be able to win on the road in a high-scoring affair.

Prediction: Green Bay over Detroit, 31-23