NFL Predictions WK 17: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
By Erik Lambert
One of the biggest NFL predictions to make regards the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Who takes home the NFC North?
Subplots:
Matthew Stafford tries to quell Lambeau jinx
The Packers have owned the NFC North for the past three-straight seasons, knocking out all challengers. Detroit becomes the latest and perhaps greatest yet. For them, this game is a watershed moment for quarterback Matthew Stafford. He has lived in the shadow of Aaron Rodgers for years and is eager to get the respect he feels he deserves. The ideal and really only way he can do that is to beat Rodgers in a place where the Lions haven’t won since 1991.
It won’t be easy. Green Bay hasn’t lost at Lambeau Field since December 22nd of 2013. Aaron Rodgers, on the other hand hasn’t lost in that stadium since September 9th of 2012.
Key Matchups:
Eddie Lacy vs. Lions front seven
Part of the reason the Packers have been able to do so well lately and keep Rodgers safe is the steady ground presence of Eddie Lacy who is over 1,000 yards rushing at 4.7 yards per carry and has nine touchdowns. However, one of his worst games of the season came against this Detroit Lions front seven led by Ndamukong Suh and DeAndre Levy who held him to just 45 total yards and forced a fumble. If the Packers are going to seize control of this game, they need Lacy to do well.
Golden Tate vs. Sam Shields
Tramon Williams will likely draw the ever-difficult task of covering Calvin Johnson, but the true decisive matchup may prove to be whether Golden Tate, the big off-season free agent addition for Detroit, can get some productive plays in against Green Bay Packers corner Sam Shields. Tate was added in hopes of taking the heat off Johnson and he’s done a good job of that so far, but this is the one game that the Lions had in mind when they signed him. He needs to show up.
Pick: DET 20, GB 23
It will be a tight affair for sure as the Detroit defense will make life hard on Aaron Rodgers but in the end the home field edge will proven just enough for the Packers to hold off their rivals.