Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers Matchup Preview (9/20/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

The Packers and Aaron Rodgers are coming off of a huge blowout win against the Minnesota Vikings and want to continue that momentum in their home opener at Lambeau. Meanwhile, Detroit was heartbroken in the 4th quarter and Matt Patricia may not be on the hot seat but is warming. It will be a brutal but offensive showcase in the NFC North matchup.

For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, September 20th, 2020
Time: 1:05 PM ET
Location: Lambeau Field – Green Bay, Wisconsin
TV Coverage: FOX

Lions vs. Packers Live Stream

Where can you watch Lions vs Packers online? You can stream this game and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Lions vs Packers Free Online Now.

Injuries:

Detroit Lions:
Green Bay Packers:

Detroit Lions Analysis

The Lions played three-quarters of great football on Sunday and fell apart in the 4th quarter against Mitchell Trubisky of all people. A lot of questions will be asked of how Matt Patricia let that happen. However, D’Andre Swift dropped a game-winning touchdown pass that could have saved his coach and team from embarrassment. Stafford did everything he could to come back and win.

The hope for the Lions’ offense going into this tough Week 2 matchup is that Kenny Golladay is healthy. Against this great Packers’ secondary Detroit could use all the weapons they can get. Matthew Stafford looked like his old self in the game against Chicago. He was accurate, timely, and made only one mistake with the interception. However, his receiving options let him down with multiple drops. This will need to change going into the Packer matchup.

On the ground, it was really a split between Peterson and Swift despite Kerryon Johnson being named the starter. Whoever ends up getting the ball needs to do something with it. The weakness, especially if Kenny Clark is out, for this Packers’ defense is stopping the run. If the Lions cannot establish a solid run game then they are doomed and will struggle to put up anything on the scoreboard. The run will have to be used to unlock the pass for this team.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions will be missing Justin Coleman most likely for the remainder of the year. This means Jeff Okudah, their top ten selection in the draft, needs to get healthy and get on the field if they have any shot of slowing down this Packers’ WR core. I do not like the chances of Desmond Trufant covering Devante Adams, so either Okudah as a rookie needs to step up or Patricia needs to get creative with blitzes and coverages to real in Rodgers’ passing.

The Lions did a decent job against the run with the Bears but the Packers’ running attack is another step up. Da’Shawn Hand will be crucial in this game alongside the LB core of Jarrad Davis and Jamie Collins. If Aaron Jones gets going and Rodgers controls the clock then it will turn a tough task of winning on the road against the Packers into an impossible one.

Detroit Lions Depth Chart

QB: Matthew Stafford
RB1: Kerryon Johnson
RB2: D’Andre Swift
WR1: Marvin Jones
WR2: Kenny Golladay
WR3: Danny Amendola
TE: T.J. Hockenson

Green Bay Packers Analysis

The Green Bay Packers looked unstoppable on offense. However, it has yet to be seen if that was because of their offense being good, Minnesota’s defense being bad, or a combination of both. One thing is sure, that Rodgers looked like Rodgers, making incredible passes left and right against a young Vikings’ secondary.

Green Bays’ offense in this game will take on the same form that they did against the Vikings. Running the ball as much as they can and hitting the Lions with deep shots once they are sold on the run. Jones looked like the superior back to Dillion and Williams in the game; however, the one area that the Packers really struggled in was the red zone, despite all those points. Most of the scoring came off of huge plays and they were having no problem driving between the 20s. If Jones cannot convert it may be time for Dillion to get some goal-line work.

Another key to this offense will be staying healthy on the offensive line. The Packers have linemen going down like flies. A healthy offensive line leads to a healthy Rodgers which will be extremely important to success this season.

Marques Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard looked to have both taken a step in the right direction when it comes to complimenting Devante Adams. However, MVS struggled with a couple of huge drops that could have left him with a 150+ yard game with multiple scores. If he can fix that issue then Rodgers may have himself true #2 and #3 WRs in Lazard and MVS.

On defense, the Packers looked great when they were able to apply pressure to Cousins. This game will be similar. They have a good secondary that can make plays but the Smith “brothers” still need to create pressure on Stafford for them to really be dominant in defending the pass.

Something that may hinder this from happening is the injury to Kenny Clark and the lack of good run defense. If they cannot stop Swift and Peterson from getting chunk plays on the ground then they will have to bring more into the box and expose themselves to play-action passes as we saw in the first scoring drive for the Vikings, when the game was still close. Stopping the run to allow more pressure in the passing game is the key to the defensive victory for the Packers.

Green Bay Packers Depth Chart

QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Jamaal Williams
WR1: Davante Adams
WR2: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
WR3: Allen Lazard
TE: Jace Sternberger

Betting Corner Packers -5.5

Odds:
Spread: Packers -5.5
Moneyline: Packers -250 / Lions +205
Over/Under: 47.5

Prediction:
Spread: Packers -5.5
Moneyline: Packers -250
Over/Under: Under 47.5

I do not see how the Lions fare better than the Minnesota Vikings did against the Packers in this game. Especially with the injuries that are already piling up for the Lions, I think that Rodgers has his way with them, and the Packers breeze past the spread. However, I also like the Packers’ defense in this matchup to really slow down Stafford and cause mistakes. I am hesitant but if forced, I would take the under on this game.

Prediction: 28-16 Packers over the Lions.

Daily Fantasy Picks

D’Andre Swift at $4,900 is a great pivot play where you are betting on him getting more work. The game script will most likely have the Lions trailing and needing to pass in this game, meaning that he should get more snaps than Peterson. On top of this when Swift does run the ball he could easily pull off some huge chunk plays due to the fact that the Packers looked extremely weak in week 1 without Clark. I do not see Swift really busting in this game so $4,900 is a great price to add onto a lineup of studs for this Sunday’s slate.

Devante Admas at $8,100 is the most expensive WR on the week. However, he is worth it. He will once again get showered with targets in the 12+ range and in the PPR and bonus format of DKs that is worth tons of points even without the TDs. The Lions, similarly to the Vikings, do not have anyone that can cover Adams. He will put up big points again this week and you’re hoping to get the touchdowns to pull off the 40 point week.

Quintez Cephus at $3,600 is a great play if Kenny Golladay does not play. He received 10 targets and should be due for a similar amount without Kenny G and another passing game script in this game against the Packers. This price point is insane for anyone getting 5+ targets and that is what will happen with Kenny G gone. This play is all about opportunity over talent. However, it lets you get those big plays this week like Kamara, Adams, Thielen etc.