Packers vs. Lions 2020: Prediction Against The Spread, Odds For NFC North Rivalry

It’s only Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season, but the Green Bay Packers have a chance to make the Detroit Lions’ path to a division title very difficult Sunday afternoon.

The NFC North rivals are set to meet at Lambeau Field as part of the early slate of games. Green Bay defeated Minnesota 43-34 in the season opener. Detroit was beaten by the Chicago Bears at home 27-23, suffering one of the worst losses by any team in Week 1.

For both Green Bay and Detroit, it was more of the same. The Packers went 13-3 last year, winning the division title before coming up short in the NFC Championship Game. Nothing went the Lions’ way in 2019 as a season-ending nine-game losing streak gave Detroit a 3-12-1 record.

Matthew Stafford missed half the year with a back injury. Detroit’s bad luck included a loss in Green Bay that was heavily influenced by questionable officiating. In the 2019 season finale, the Packers eked out a road victory over the Lions to secure the conference’s No.2 seed.

Detroit blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead in Week 1. Rookie D’Andre Swift dropped what would’ve been a game-winning touchdown pass in the end zone with 11 seconds left.

Close but no cigar. That’s been the theme for Detroit over the last year, and it could continue in Week 2.

The Lions lost five games by four points or fewer and three more games by a touchdown a season ago. Green Bay’s last five victories over Detroit have all been by one score.

The Lions have covered the spread in six straight matchups with the Packers, according to OddsShark. Detroit is a six-point underdog in Green Bay. The over/under is 49.5.

Stafford and the Lions’ offense played well against a good Bears’ defense for three quarters. The quarterback was playing the best football of his career last year before getting hurt. Detroit should find ways to move the ball down the field at Lambeau Field.

Stopping Rodgers and the Packers could be an issue. The quarterback looked like the MVP-version of himself, picking apart Minnesota’s secondary for 364 yards and four touchdowns. Green Bay’s wide receivers played like a group that was trying to prove Rodgers indeed does have enough help to win a Super Bowl.

This might be a very competitive game. Detroit can keep it close, but they’ve proven they can’t be trusted to pull out the victory.

Prediction ATS: Green Bay over Detroit, 28-25