Monday Night Football NFL Week 2 Lions at Packers Betting Preview
+11.5 Too Many Points to Give Detroit
It seems that oddsmakers have fewer concerns with Green Bay than the general public coming into the week 2 Lions at Packers matchup. Aaron Rodgers and company were beat up on 38-3 against the Saints last week, yet are still -11.5 favorites on Monday night against Detroit.
The Lions never quit in the fiery Dan Campbell’s coaching debut with the team, fighting back from 38-10 down to the 49ers ultimate losing 41-33 in week 1. Of course that’s a lot of points scored in garbage time, and also a lot of points given up overall for Detroit. Will both Green Bay and Detroit settle down a bit going into week 2?
Opportunities for Goff and Detroit Offense
Jared Goff had his first game as Lions starting QB in week 1, going 38/57 for 338 yards and 3 TD / 1 INT. Those are solid opening day numbers, but the Lions were down 41-17 with under 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter. 16 of Detroit’s points came in the last two minutes of the 4th quarter, making the final score look closer than it was.
There are some things to be optimistic about heading into the week 2 Lions at Packers MNF matchup, the biggest being that Green Bay’s defense might not be that good. The Packers gave up 5 TD passes to Jameis Winston last week losing by 35 points as -4 point favorites. Goff also showed good chemistry with T.J. Hockenson (working in former TE Campbell’s system) and the backfield combo of D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams combined for 93 yards rushing on 20 carries and had 16 catches for 121 yards.
Williams looked good in his first game with Detroit, and will be running hard against his former team Green Bay on Monday night. The Lions biggest questions will be on the defensive side of the football though as they gave up 130+ on the ground and 311 through the air vs. the Niners.
Questions on Both Sides of the Ball for Green Bay
Obviously the attention will be on Aaron Rodgers on Monday night after the 15/28, 133 yard performance with 0 TD and 2 INT last week vs. the Saints. New Orleans did have a top 5 defense last year, but aren’t as good this year as Green Bay made them look last week as the Saints fell 26-7 to the Panthers on Sunday while giving up 305 yards passing and 2 TD to Sam Darnold.
Green Bay simply came out flat in all aspects of their season opener, which can partially be explained by playing at Jacksonville after the game had to be moved from New Orleans due to Hurricane Ida. Aaron Jones had just 5 carries for 9 yards, and Davante Adams – who had 115 catches in 14 games last year – grabbed just 5 balls last week.
The GB offense will almost undoubtedly bounce back on Monday night in front of a full crowd at Lambeau for the first time since 2019. Playing the Detroit defense doesn’t hurt, but the Packers aren’t exactly the ’85 Bears on that side of the ball either. New DC Joe Barry, considered a questionable hire by many, schemed a defense that gave up 5 TD passes and another 171 on the ground in the opener.
Monday Night Football Week 2 Free Pick
Green Bay is on a 4-game win streak in this series, but only the 42-21 Packers win last September was decided by more than one score. 10 points total decided the other three in this run and the Lions had actually won the previous four before that. This is the Super Bowl for Campbell, and although it will be hard with the fans returning to Lambeau, +11.5 is a bit steep.
Lions 26 – Packers 31
Free Pick: Lions +11.5
