The Green Bay Packers (9-3) and Detroit Lions (5-7) will finish off their season series on Sunday at Ford Field. The Packers, who beat the Lions back in Week 2, are on the verge of winning the NFC North.
Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 14 matchup with the Lions will go down:
Zach Kruse (8-4): Packers 34, Lions 24
Honestly, 34 points might be a conservative guess considering the matchup brewing between the Packers offense and Lions defense. Matt LaFleur’s team has so many advantages when they have the football. If the Packers don’t beat themselves on offense, they could score 40 or more again on a Lions team lacking difference-makers at all three defensive levels. Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford does give Detroit some hope. He’s capable of scoring points in a hurry, and I won’t be surprised if he’s productive again Sunday. It just won’t be nearly enough. The Packers are accustomed to slow starts at Ford Field, but the guess here is that they come out guns blazing and lead the entire way.
Jack Wepfer (9-3): Packers 30, Lions 20
The Lions have been a tougher out at Ford Field lately. Even so, the Packers look to be finding, or rather crystalizing, their identity in the latter part of the season. Rodgers is on an MVP roll, the defense is leaning into its strengths, and the special teams – well, they’re there, too I guess. Aside from a special teams letdown, I see the Packers taking care of business in Detroit and keeping pressure on New Orleans for the top spot in the NFC.
Marty Kauffman (9-3): Packers 31, Lions 21
As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, the 2020 Packers are starting to have that super feeling that Green Bay hasn’t felt since maybe 2014. The offense continues to roll every week and it should continue to inside the confines of Ford Field. The Lions offense will pose as a challenge early but the Packers need to withstand that initial surge. Green Bay needs to control the ball, get points early and a couple defensive stops. That’s been the recipe all season and I see it working again on Sunday
Anthony Nash (9-3): Packers 31, Lions 21
Although Green Bay took down the Lions in convincing fashion in Week 2, that doesn’t necessarily mean that things will pan out the same way this week. After a big win against the Bears last week, Detroit will be looking to deal another big blow to a division rival. The Packers offense shouldn’t have a problem moving the ball, but their defense will once again have to be in top form in order to slow down a still-potent Lions offense.
Nolan Stracke (11-1): Packers 38, Lions 24
Lions interim coach Darrell Bevell has been a breath of fresh air to this Lions team. Players said they had the most fun in months after playing against a down-trodden Bears team, but will a coaching change be enough to beat the Packers? I’m guessing no. The Lions will be without their starting right tackle and No. 1 wideout and corner in this matchup. Green Bay previously blew Detroit out of the water in Week 2, and they’ve been hot the past two weeks. The Lions just don’t have enough clicking on offense or defense to slow down the Packers.
Joe Kipp (10-2): Packers 38, Lions 28
This should be a high scoring affair with an over/under of 55 points. Last week we saw a 77-yard touchdown run by Aaron Jones en route to another 100+ yard day. It could be a similar story for Jones against a porous Detroit run defense. The Lions rank 28th in rushing yards allowed (133.9). Green Bay’s defense has tightened up in recent weeks, particularly when it comes to rushing the passer. The Packers recorded seven sacks last week. Lions QB Matthew Stafford has been sack on nearly 7% of his drop backs (23rd). Green Bay should be able to get a lead heading into half time and run the ball effectively in the second half, thus allowing the Packers’ pass rush to pin their ears back in the fourth quarter.
Brandon Carwile (5-3): Packers 35, Lions 20
Four out of the last five meetings at Ford Field have been decided by single digits, but Green Bay won convincingly over Detroit in week two. They won’t come out flat this time around against a team in a transition period. The Lions are 1-0 with Darrell Bevell at the helm, but that was against a sputtering Chicago Bears team. The Packers are going to light up the scoreboard this week led by Aaron Jones. Jones had a huge game against the Lions in week two. The defense will get after Matthew Stafford and force at least one turnover in a 15-point win.
| Writer | Prediction | Score | Record |
| Zach Kruse | Win | 34-24 | 8-4 |
| Jack Wepfer | Win | 30-20 | 9-3 |
| Marty Kauffman | Win | 31-21 | 9-3 |
| Anthony Nash | Win | 31-21 | 9-3 |
| Nolan Stracke | Win | 38-24 | 11-1 |
| Joe Kipp | Win | 38-28 | 10-2 |
| Brandon Carwile | Win | 35-20 | 5-3 |
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