Odds Detroit Lions Beat Green Bay Packers Week 18

The Lions (8-8) journey to Lambeau Discipline this week for a must-see matchup with the Inexperienced Bay Packers (8-8) on Sunday Night time Soccer.

If the L.A. Rams upset the Seattle Seahawks earlier within the day Sunday, the aforementioned common season finale between the Lions and the Packers turns into a play-in sport to the playoffs for Detroit. 

In the meantime, Inexperienced Bay merely has to defeat the Lions to clinch a spot within the postseason. 

The Lions and the Packers have been two of the most well liked groups in all of the NFL as of late. Dan Campbell’s group has received seven of its final 9 video games, whereas Aaron Rodgers & Co. have received 4 in a row and 5 of their final seven.

Within the first assembly between these two NFC North groups this season (in Week 9), Detroit picked off Rodgers 3 times, en path to defeating Inexperienced Bay, 15-9, at Ford Discipline.

It’s going to be virtually inconceivable to pressure the long run Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer to play such poorly as soon as once more. 

Rodgers has performed a few of his greatest soccer over time towards the Lions. In 25 profession video games vs. Detroit, he owns an 18-7 report, and has amassed 6,346 passing yards, 53 passing touchdowns and simply 11 interceptions. He is additionally produced a powerful passer ranking of 105.8.

Whereas all that is true, these aren’t the identical Lions that Rodgers has constantly crushed — and dominated — all through the whole lot of his NFL profession.  

One of many main the explanation why is the emergence of the rookie pass-rushing duo of Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston. 

Hutchinson, the No. 2 general decide within the 2022 draft, and Houston, a sixth-rounder and the No. 217 general choice this previous April, are the primary pair of rookie teammates each with seven-or-more sacks since 1982.

Houston paces all Detroit defenders this season with eight sacks. It is are available in simply six video games for the previous follow squad member, which is essentially the most sacks by a participant in that few video games in league historical past.

In the meantime, Hutchinson has produced seven-and-a-half sacks himself, and in addition has give you three interceptions (one among which got here towards Rodgers in Week 9).

Then, there’s fellow rookie EDGE Josh Paschal, a second-round decide of the Lions (No. 46 general), who recorded the primary two sacks of his NFL profession every week in the past towards the Chicago Bears.

It provides Detroit’s 2022 rookie class 18.5 complete sacks on the season, which is one shy of the league report set by the Tennessee Titans in 1999.

“It’s loopy. Somebody had advised me {that a} couple days in the past. And, that’s a wild stat to consider,” Hutchinson advised reporters Thursday. “I don’t actually suppose we’re competing with one another. I believe everyone seems to be getting after it. Everyone seems to be consuming. That’s what you need. Now we received Josh Paschal coming alongside, too, which was large. I used to be so blissful for him getting these two. I actually suppose, simply organising for subsequent yr, it’s all coming collectively on the proper time.

“It’s loopy. Oh, it’s loopy once you see it. Clearly, he (Houston) had three final week. He simply finds a technique to get to the ball, and he takes benefit of his alternatives, which is what you need in a move rusher. He’s getting after it, and I believe we received a reasonably nasty move rush proper now.”

As a lot because the Lions will need to get after Rodgers Sunday, it’s going to be much more necessary for Campbell & Co. to do two different issues: to determine the run and restrict the manufacturing of the Packers’ run sport.

Each Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift had large days on the bottom towards Chicago final week. Williams accrued 144 yards and a landing (on 22 carries), whereas Swift amassed 78 yards and a rating (on 11 dashing makes an attempt).

They’ve an opportunity to do some harm towards Inexperienced Bay, which has allowed the seventh-most dashing yards (2,268 yards) in 2022. 

In the meantime, the Packers, led by their operating again duo of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, have accrued 2,010 dashing yards (the Thirteenth-highest complete within the league this season).

There is a robust likelihood that Jones and Dillon give the Lions suits all evening. Bear in mind, Aaron Glenn’s protection has allowed the fourth-most dashing yards because the begin of the marketing campaign (2,388). 

With all of the aforementioned elements added up, I am keen to present Detroit a 42 % likelihood to shut out the 2022 season with a win.