Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions: Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Green Bay Packers (7-4) will be out to avenge a home loss to the Detroit Lions (4-7) suffered three weeks ago when the NFC North teams meet again at Ford Field in the Week 13 Thursday-night matchup.

The Packers fell 18-16 to the Lions as 10.5-point favorites and had won 16 of the previous 19 meetings between the teams.

Point Spread: The Packers opened as 5.5-point favorites. The total was 47 early in the week.

Odds Shark Computer Pick: Lions 29.8, Packers 16.7

Why the Packers Can Cover the Spread

Green Bay is a much better team than it has shown in the last six games, going 2-4 straight up and 1-5 against the spread during that stretch.

Oddsmakers have pegged the Packers as underdogs only once this season, and that resulted in their only victory in their past five, as they beat the Minnesota Vikings 30-13 on the road two weeks ago.

The team’s recent loss to Detroit at Lambeau Field may have been the most surprising of the four overall this season. But Green Bay has lost consecutive meetings with the Lions just one time in the last 30 dating back to 2000, and that took place over two different years.

The Packers are also 21-9 ATS in their last 30 games versus divisional opponents, winning 23 of them—including seven of the past nine.

Why the Lions Can Cover the Spread

Detroit seems to have turned a corner and is playing its best football of the season going into this game. The Lions have won seven of their last 10 against NFC North foes, and the home team has gone 5-1 SU and ATS in the past six meetings.

The defense has been outstanding during the team’s current three-game winning streak, allowing an average of a little more than 14 points over that period to Green Bay, the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles.

Oakland and Philadelphia both have top-10 offenses in terms of yards per game while the Packers were viewed as one of the NFL’s best heading into the season.

Smart Pick

This is a must-win game for Green Bay following four losses in five games, and the team needs to step up and flex its muscles offensively like it did against the Vikings. The Packers were able to upset a Minnesota team that is much better than Detroit on the road, and they did so in dominant fashion.

Back the Pack to cover here in what will be their second consecutive impressive victory against a divisional team away from home.

Betting Trends

• The Packers are 16-4 SU in their last 20 games against the Lions.
• The Lions are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games after consecutive wins.
• The Packers are 19-8 ATS in their last 27 games against their division.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.