Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers Matchup Preview (9/20/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)
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Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers Matchup Preview (9/20/21)
While on the surface, this seems like another lame Monday Night Football matchup, these teams represent two of the biggest storylines from Week 1.
First: Aaron Rodgers complete embarrassment. He put together the most pathetic performance of his historic career last week, following one of the wildest offseasons in Packer history. Him, Matt LaFleur, and the whole team have a lot of questions to answer.
Second: The Lions lovable Week 1 comeback. Dan Campbell and Detroit were getting demolished by the 49ers, losing 41-17 with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, following a successful onside kick, a couple of lucky turnovers, and some Jared Goff magic, and the Lions had the ball on the San Fran 25 down just one score.
They didn’t complete the comeback, but the world is high on the Lions right now.
Which is exactly why there’s value on this game. Don’t overreact to Week 1 wins and losses, because at this time last year, Tom Brady made a big mistake signing with Tampa Bay.
That being said, let’s dive into my favorite bet Week 2’s edition of Monday Night Football!
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers Betting Odds
This is a massive bounce-back spot for Green Bay. Their game against the Saints was an outlier rather than part of a larger trend, and they’re about to face a Lions defense that has no playmakers.
With Okudah hurt, who is going to guard Davante Adams? After allowing 4.7 YPC to San Francisco, how are they going to stop Aaron Jones? After recording precisely one sack and two quarterback knockdowns in Week 1, how are the Lions going to pressure Rodgers?
There are no answers. But there is value, because the Lions are overvalued in this spot while the Packers are undervalued. I make this spread closer to two touchdowns than 12 points.
So do the sharps, who have already bet the Packers up from their opening line of -10. In his career, Rodgers is 26-13-1 against the spread (ATS) following a loss, so lock in this -12 number before it gets too high.
My predictions: Green Bay Packers win 42-13, Green Bay Packers cover -12, over 48 points
- Michigan Sports Betting
- Tennessee Sports Betting
- Arizona Sports Betting
- BetMGM Michigan
- FanDuel Michigan
- DraftKings Michigan
- Caesars Arizona
- DraftKings Arizona
- FanDuel Arizona
- Caesars Promo Code
- BetMGM Bonus Code
- DraftKings Promo Code
You can bet on this NFL game legally. Sports betting has been legalized in the US. You must be located in a legalized state in order to bet online.
TV Schedule
Date: Monday, September 20th
Time: 8:15 PM ET
Location: Lambeau Field – Green Bay, WI
TV Coverage: ESPN
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers Live Stream
Where can you watch Packers vs. Lions 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 Packers vs. Lions Free Online Now.
Injuries
Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah (Out For Season, Tyrell Williams (Q)
Green Bay Packers: Zadarius Smith (O)
Detroit Lions Analysis
The Lions Week 1 loss may have been the most intriguing game of the whole opening weekend.
On one hand, the Lions produced 31 first downs to San Francisco’s 21, while passing for 314 yards and three touchdowns. They won the time of possession, 33:28 to 26:32, as well as rushed for almost five YPC.
On the other hand, they were absolutely crushed in the first half, and in the end, put up the fourth-worst Total DVOA mark of any Week 1 performance. They managed a measly 5.1 yards per play while allowing 8.0, and Detroit was very lucky to make as crazy of a comeback as they did.
There were some bright spots for Detroit’s skill positions. T.J. Hockenson caught eight passes for 97 yards, while Jamaal Williams totaled 54 yards on six YPC.
But the offensive line is still a work in process, finishing 20th in adjusted line yards and allowing Goff to get sacked three times for 24 yards, as well as knocked down eight times.
CB Jeff Okudah allowed two receptions on three targets for a whopping 86 yards, and then went on to tear his Achilles. He’s out for the rest of the season, and the Lions secondary depth is questionable at best.
The Lions are the underdog, and America loves an underdog. Jared Goff tearing it up in the fourth quarter after getting abandoned by his old team won the hearts of NFL fans in Week 1. But we must remember what the Lions are: A roster in rebuild mode with little-to-no talent at every position.
I want to be proved wrong, but I’m not ready to upgrade the Lions in any power rankings yet.
Detroit Lions Depth Chart
QB: Jared Goff
RB1: De’Andre Swift
RB2: Jamaal Williams
WR1: Tyrell Williams
WR2: Amon-Ra St. Brown
TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Darren Fells
Green Bay Packers Analysis
The Packers have the distinct honor of being the NFL’s worst team following Week 1, as they posted the lowest Total DVOA of any team.
There’s blame to go around, but let’s start with the big name. Rodgers has never had a worse performance in his career:
The Saints defense held 2020 NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to a 36.8 passer rating today
That is the lowest passer rating in history by a reigning NFL MVP in his first game of the subsequent season #GBvsNO
— NFL Research (@NFLPlus) September 13, 2021
Rodgers completed just 15 of his 28 passes for a just 4.8 yards per attempt, and a whopping 66 of his 133 passing yards came after the catch. He tossed two interceptions, both ugly. Plus, he finished his Week 1 performance ranking second-to-last among starting quarterbacks in DYAR, dead last in completion percentage, and dead last in QBR.
Meanwhile, the offense managed just 43 rushing yards on 2.9 YPC, resulting in a lot of long third downs. Rodgers and the offense managed to convert just one of their 10 third down opportunities, as Rodgers went 3-for-9 for 15 yards on 3rd and 4th down.
The defense was even more pathetic. Although Jameis Winston threw for just 148 yards, he managed five touchdowns and no interceptions. Meanwhile, the Saints rushed for 171 yards on 4.4 YPC, managed no fumbles, and the Saints controlled the ball for almost 35 minutes of game time.
However, there’s no need to dwell on the past. Looking forward, this is a very talented football team. Plus, Green Bay got lucky, as every other NFC North team lost in Week 1.
Green Bay Packers Depth Chart
QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: A.J. Dillon
WR1: Davante Adams
WR2: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
WR3: Randall Cobb
TE1: Robert Tonyan
TE2: Mercedes Lewis
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers Daily Fantasy Picks
There’s one player you have to target in DFS this week, and it’s Davante Adams.
Okudah has been awful in his first few seasons in the NFL, but the Lions have zero cornerback depth. Right now, the Lions No. 1 corner is Amani Oruwariye, who held opponents to a low completion percentage in 2020 (59.3%) but also allowed a ton of big plays (16.5 yards per completion allowed). Plus, in Week 1, Oruwaryie was targeted four times and allowed three receptions at 18.0 yards per completion.
Plus, it’s not like Davante Adams was entirely pathetic in Week 1:
Davante Adams is so goodhttps://t.co/iH7VFtx62S
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 12, 2021
Last time against Detroit, Adams recorded seven receptions for 115 yards. Lock him in for another massive outing in Week 2.
- Bills @ Rams
- Saints @ Falcons
- Browns @ Panthers
- 49ers @ Bears
- Steelers @ Bengals
- Eagles @ Lions
- Colts @ Texans
- Patriots @ Dolphins
- Ravens @ Jets
- Jaguars @ Commanders
- Giants @ Titans
- Chiefs @ Cardinals
- Raiders @ Chargers
- Packers @ Vikings
- Buccaneers @ Cowboys
- Broncos @ Seahawks
