Week 2 of the NFL season ends with an NFC North showdown involving two teams who need a win. The Detroit Lions rallied in the opener but lost at home in Dan Campbell’s debut with the Green Bay Packers were humiliated and humbled by New Orleans. Monday’s kickoff at Lambeau Field in Green Bay is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Packers have won four straight in the series, including 31-24 and 42-21 wins last season. The 21-point win came in Lambeau, a place where the Lions have won just three times since 1991. Since Aaron Rodgers took over as quarterback, the Packers are 18-8 against the Lions.
Goff Settling In For Lions
The Lions trailed at home by 28 points in the opener but eventually got the game down to one score. They couldn’t complete the comeback as San Francisco prevailed 41-33, but the Lions showed a lot of resilience and maturity in the second half, where prior Detroit teams may have rolled over.
Jared Goff came over from the Rams with Matt Stafford going the other way in the off-season. Goff was 38-for-57 in the opener for 338 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Ideally, they won’t have to throw the ball 57 times on Monday as they keep the game closer than the opener.
Former Packers running back Jamaal Williams is in the Lions backfield with D’Andre Swift. Williams ran for 54 yards against the 49ers while Swift had 39 yards. Both caught eight passes and finished the game with a touchdown.
The Lions won’t have former first-round cornerback Jeff Okudah who tore his Achilles in the opener. They will try to slow down Rodgers and company with untested defensive backs, including a rookie.
What is Wrong With Rodgers?
Absolutely nothing went right for the Packers in Florida last week as they were drubbed by the Saints 38-3. Drives ended in three-and-outs, Rodgers threw two interceptions, and the new-look defense was shredded for four quarters. The good news is it was just one game, and a veteran team coming home should be able to rebound.
The Packers barely used the run game in the opener as Aaron Jones had just five carries and two receptions for a total of 22 yards. The backups, Kylin Hill and AJ Dillon, combined for 33 yards on nine carries.
Rodgers completed 15-of-28 passes for 133 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns. Jordan Love finished the game with five completions for 68 yards. Playmaker Davante Adams had five catches for 56 yards, but no other receiver had more than three catches in the game.
The defense gave up five passing touchdowns to go with 171 rushing yards. They will have to face the Lions without injured pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith as the Packers continue to learn Joe Barry’s system. Last year’s defense led the NFL in big plays allowed, and giving up five passing scores to Jameis Winston doesn’t bode well for the secondary.
Betting Analysis
- Detroit Lions +12 (-110) Money Line +450
- Green Bay Packers -12 (-110) Money Line -630
- Total 48.5 points. Over -110, Under -110
The Packers have won the last four games in the series by an average of 11.2 points per game. With the 49ers on the road next week, this is close to a must-win for the Packers team that reached the NFC Championship Game last season. The Lions are young and hungry but may be in over their heads against a veteran team with their backs against the wall.
FREE PICK: Packers -12
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