Lions vs. Packers: Last-minute thoughts and final prediction

Lions vs. Packers: Last-minute thoughts, keys to the game and final prediction for Week 18

It’s already a strange Sunday. Normally this particular pregame ritual gets written around 9 a.m. and then the buzz carries into the 1 p.m. kickoff. But today is different.

The Lions face the Packers in Green Bay in Week 18 in primetime. It’s Detroit’s first night game of the season, and it comes with much on the line. Depending on the outcome of the Rams vs. Seahawks game, the Lions could be playing for a postseason berth. Even if they’re eliminated before the kickoff, they’re still playing for a winning record on a season that began at 1-6 and also for a 5-1 finish in the NFC North to set the table for 2023.

Rookie expectations for Lions at Jaguars in Week 6

Setting the rookie expectations for Detroit Lions Week 6 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Now that they’ve been able to rest up over the bye week, the rookies of the Detroit Lions are set to take the field against the Jacksonville Jaguars in hopes of helping turn the team’s season around.

Here’s what to expect from the Lions’ 2020 rookie class in Week 6:

CB Jeff Okudah

The third-overall pick from this year’s draft has had his struggles as a starter but still has taken an average of about 82-percent of defensive snaps throughout the three games he’s appeared in.

Overall, he’s had mixed success when on the field. The rookie has already notched his first career interception and has yet to allow a touchdown. Unfortunately, he has struggled overall in coverage, allowing 15 of the 20 passes against him to be completed.

With starting cornerback Desmond Trufant ruled out due to injury, Okudah will be slated to start alongside Amani Oruwariye and Darryl Roberts (slot). The Jaguars offense is better than their record shows, so Okudah will have to step up and be a playmaker if the Lions want to pull off a win in Jacksonville.

RB D’Andre Swift

Swift has been the most productive running back on the Lions’ roster. The rookie’s abilities as a pass-catcher has made him one of Matthew Stafford’s go-to guys, catching 13-of-16 passes thrown his way for 124 yards. Six of those receptions went for first downs, and one has gone for a touchdown.

In the run game, he sits behind both Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson on the depth chart but still has been able to contribute two first downs and a touchdown on just 12 carries.

Jacksonville’s defense has allowed an average of about 44 receiving yards from running backs per game this season, but have been improving week-by-week at preventing running backs from making plays as receivers. In Week 1, they allowed 142 receiving yards from running backs, versus just 18 last week.

Expect Swift to maintain his role as the Lions’ primary third-down back and receiving option at running back this week.

OL Jonah Jackson and Logan Stenberg

Jackson has started on the offensive line for the Lions in every game this season. In his first two games, he played right guard but moved to the left side after Halapoulivaati Vaitai returned from his injury in Week 3.

This week, it may be unclear where Jackson will play due to injuries along the offensive line. Center Frank Ragnow is listed as questionable heading into this game, which means there could be a massive shake-up at almost every spot on the line.

If Ragnow is out, the Lions could move Jackson to center, a position he played in his sophomore year of college. Offensive lineman Joe Dahl may also return from injured reserve before this game, meaning Jackson could go back to right guard and Vaitai could move to right tackle.

Stenberg may have the chance to take the field for the first time in his career as well, but it’s an unlikely possibility. The fourth-round rookie practiced as the team’s backup center in training camp and also has experience at left guard. Depending on what the Lions opt for with their starting five linemen, Stenberg could have a chance to make his pro debut.

EDGE Julian Okwara

The younger of the Okwara brothers has yet to make any sort of impact for the Lions so far this season.

Appearing in three games, he has yet to record any stats on defense but has barely had the chance to, given he’s only been on the field for 25 snaps.

With no changes to Detroit’s pass rush, don’t expect Okwara to be making any big plays this week.

WR Quintez Cephus

After bringing in six receptions for 97 yards in his first two games as a pro, Cephus has been delegated back to the backups due to Kenny Golladay’s return to the starting lineup.

Don’t expect Cephus to have a big game this week, as he now appears to sit behind every receiver on the depth chart.

DL John Penisini

The rookie nose tackle has seen the field for a quarter of all of the Lions’ defensive snaps so far this season. Serving as the team’s backup nose tackle behind Danny Shelton, Penisini has done much to contribute thus far.

His role has begun to increase week-by-week. After not recording a single stat for the first two games, he logged one tackle in Week 3 and five more the week after that, one of which went for a loss of yards.

With both his snap counts and stats rising steadily each week, it’s safe to assume that the Lions have plans for the sixth-round rookie. Expect his role to increase even more this week as he and the defensive line try to stop Jacksonville’s up-and-coming undrafted rookie running back James Robinson.

USA TODAY Sports Network’s conference championship game previews, predictions

The USA TODAY Sports Network previews Sunday’s matchups — Titans at Chiefs and Packers at 49ers — with a trip to Super Bowl LIV at stake.

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Looking for a one-stop primer for NFL Championship Sunday — complete with point spread, television and satellite radio broadcast information and informed predictions?

Look no further. Touchdown Wire has you covered.

The AFC Championship Game promises to provide new blood in Super Bowl LIV, which is slated for Sunday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m. ET on Fox. The Titans made their only Super Bowl appearance 20 years ago, while the Chiefs last appeared in the big game 50 years ago.

The NFC Championship Game offers a matchup of two teams familiar with Super Bowl appearances and postseason success. The Green Bay Packers will have to be at their best to topple a San Francisco 49ers team that beat them 37-8 in Week 12. Conversely, the 49ers probably want to get out to a big lead and apply pressure to Aaron Rodgers.

Let’s explore the matchups. Without further ado, here are your NFL conference championship game previews for Sunday, Jan. 19:

 

AFC Championship Game: Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs Tennessee Titans
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS

Records: Titans 9-7, 2-0; Chiefs 12-4, 1-0

Line: Chiefs by 7½

Satellite radio: Titans feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 830), Chiefs feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 815)

Titans’ keys: Tennessee must try and jump out to a big lead early. Kansas City erased a 24-point deficit in a quarter of play in their divisional round win over the Texans. But the Titans have an ace in the hole when leading: RB Derrick Henry, who is 6-3 and 247 pounds. In Week 10, Henry thrashed the Chiefs on the ground for 188 yards and two TDs on 22 attempts.

Chiefs’ keys: Don’t fall for the play-action passing game. The Titans are going to get their yards on the ground, but what Kansas City can’t afford to do is give up big passing plays that are set up by the run. In Week 10 (a 35-32 Titans win over the Chiefs), QB Ryan Tannehill connected on a play-action pass of 52 yards that set up Tennessee’s first score (also a play-action pass). Chiefs CBs Charvarius Ward and Bashaud Breeland will have to stay disciplined, especially without the help of now-injured S Juan Thornhill on the back end.

Matchup to watch: Titans DE Jeffery Simmons vs. Chiefs LG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Simmons seems to be the defensive difference-maker for Tennessee despite only netting two combined tackles against the Chiefs in Week 10. Duvernay-Tardif has been the clear weak link in Kansas City’s offensive interior. This looks to be the key battle in the trenches to watch in both the running game and the passing game.

Who wins? The Chiefs want to reach their first Super Bowl in 50 years, taking out another team that beat them during the season. Chiefs 37, Titans 24

— Charles Goldman

USA TODAY Sports Network’s NFL divisional playoff previews, predictions

The USA TODAY Sports Network previews each of this weekend’s matchups: Vikings-49ers, Titans-Ravens, Texans-Chiefs and Seahawks-Packers.

We’re down to eight teams remaining in the NFL postseason, and the top two seeds in each conference bounce into action this weekend. The divisional round of the playoffs has a history of memorable upsets, and this year’s slate offers plenty of intrigue.

The Minnesota Vikings, fresh off a surprising overtime win in New Orleans, face the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday in search of another upset win. Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is listed as questionable, while the 49ers hope to get pass-rusher Dee Ford back on the field.

The Tennessee Titans, having slain the dynastic New England Patriots, travel to Baltimore to face the AFC’s top seed. It’s a matchup of the NFL rushing champion, Derrick Henry, against the league’s top rushing offense in the Ravens.

The Houston Texans already beat the Kansas City Chiefs during the regular season. Now they will try to do it under the postseason spotlight in a duel between two quarterbacks selected two spots apart in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Finally, the Seattle Seahawks visit the Green Bay Packers, an unlikely No. 2 seed if ever there was one, in a game oddsmakers expect to be the closest of the weekend.

Without further ado, here are your NFL playoff game previews for Saturday, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12:

Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers

Kirk Cousins Minnesota Vikings
Chuck Cook -USA TODAY Sports

TV: 4:35 p.m. ET Saturday, NBC

Records: Vikings 10-6, 1-0; 49ers 13-3, 0-0

BetMGM line: 49ers by 7

Satellite radio: Vikings feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 819), 49ers feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 827)

Vikings’ keys: Getting RB Dalvin Cook going early opens up play action against an aggressive 49ers defense. A heavy dose of play action with WRs Adam Theilen and Stefon Diggs would help QB Kirk Cousins and the offense get rolling. On the defensive side, S Harrison Smith should see plenty of action against 49ers TE George Kittle, and shutting Kittle down is the quickest way to slow San Francisco’s passing game.

49ers’ keys: QB Jimmy Garoppolo can operate under pressure, but he’s at his best when he has time to let windows open down the field. The arrival of WR Emmanuel Sanders, the emergence of rookie WR Deebo Samuel and the continued excellence of Kittle have allowed the 49ers to shed some of their early-season limitations in the passing game. On defense, the 49ers live and die with their pass rush. Rookie DE Nick Bosa is the driver of a vicious defensive line, while LB Fred Warner helps shut down the middle of the field and CB Richard Sherman is as good as ever in the secondary.

Who wins? These are two evenly matched clubs. The 49ers having home-field advantage, and a more diverse group of playmakers on offense, should allow them to survive. 49ers 24, Vikings 23

Kyle Madson

Ten@Bal / Hou@KC / Sea@GB

USA TODAY Sports Network’s NFL wild-card playoff previews, predictions

The USA TODAY Sports Network previews each of this weekend’s matchups: Bills-Texans, Titans-Patriots, Vikings-Saints and Seahawks-Eagles.

The NFL postseason is finally here, and this weekend’s four wild-card matchups are intriguing — even if your favorite team is sitting out the playoffs this season.

The Buffalo Bills aim for their first playoff win since the 1995 season when they visit the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon. Houston will benefit from the return of pass-rusher J.J. Watt, who has been out since Week 8 with a torn pectoral muscle.

On Saturday evening, the Tennessee Titans play at the New England Patriots as Titans coach Mike Vrabel matches wits with his former coach, New England’s Bill Belichick. Tennessee is likely to pressure Pats quarterback Tom Brady, while New England is dealing with injuries to wide receiver Julian Edelman and others.

The Minnesota Vikings play at the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon, as Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins prepares to make just his second playoff start. Finally, the Seattle Seahawks travel to play the injury-riddled Philadelphia Eagles on late Sunday afternoon in what might be the weekend’s most competitive game.

Without further ado, here are your NFL playoff game previews for Saturday, Jan. 4 and Sunday, Jan. 5:

 

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans

Deshaun Watson Houston Texans
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

TV: 4:35 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN/ABC

Records: Bills 10-6, Texans 10-6

Line: Texans by 2½

Satellite radio: Bills feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 803), Texans feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 812)

Bills’ keys: Disruptive defensive tackles Ed Oliver, a rookie, and Jordan Phillips have to shut down the run and pressure the quarterback. Houston will be without its speedy No. 2 wide receiver, Will Fuller, which means Buffalo can roll coverage to help CB Tre’Davious White lock down WR DeAndre Hopkins. On offense, Bills QB Josh Allen has to use his dual-threat abilities to beat the defense with his legs and find WRs John Brown and Cole Beasley through the air.

Texans’ keys: Protect QB Deshaun Watson, who was sacked 44 times in the regular season. LT Laremy Tunsil sat out Week 17 and will have to be ready to take the best from the Bills’ pass rush. What also helps keep Watson upright is the production of RB Carlos Hyde, who had his first 1,000-yard season. DE J.J. Watt is expected to return from a torn pectoral injury and needs to bolster the anemic pass rush.

Who wins? Buffalo’s opportunistic defense can shut down the run and suppress the passing game. Bills 19, Texans 13

Mark Lane

Ten@NE / Min@NO / Sea@Phi

USA TODAY Sports Network’s NFL Week 17 game previews, predictions

The USA TODAY Sports Network previews Week 17 in the NFL, with Steelers-Ravens, Redskins-Cowboys and 49ers-Seahawks leading the schedule.

The final week of the 2019 NFL regular season has arrived, and many postseason scenarios remain to be determined.

Only one NFC playoff berth has yet to be awarded — the NFC East championship. The Philadelphia Eagles can clinch the division title and the No. 4 seed with a win at the New York Giants. If the Eagles lose, the Dallas Cowboys can steal the last playoff spot with a victory over the visiting Washington Redskins.

Meantime, the San Francisco 49ers look to clinch the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed at the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night. The Seahawks, who have reunited with popular running back Marshawn Lynch, also can win the division with a victory, but will need help from the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints in order to get the top seed.

Over in the AFC, the final playoff spot remains up for grabs, and the Tennessee Titans can clinch it with a win against the Houston Texans. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders also remain in contention if the Titans lose in Houston.

The Baltimore Ravens are locked into the AFC’s top seed, but the New England Patriots can clinch the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye with a win over the visiting Miami Dolphins. If the Pats stumble, the Kansas City Chiefs can sneak into the No. 2 spot with a win against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers.

You can find all the Week 17 NFL postseason scenarios and complete playoff picture here. To see which games will be shown on network TV in your area, visit our Week 17 game maps article here.

Without further ado, here are your NFL game previews for Sunday, Dec. 29:

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox

Records: Packers 12-3, Lions 3-11-1

Line: Packers by 12½

Satellite radio: Packers feed on Sirius 138 (streaming 811), Lions feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 810)

Packers’ keys: Run effectively with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams and attacking the underbelly of the Lions’ defense with running backs in the passing game should work splendidly. QB Aaron Rodgers can stretch the defense with deep shots to WR Geronimo Allison and TE Jimmy Graham.

Lions’ keys: If they are to pull off a wildly improbable upset, it will come from the defense making big plays. CB Darius Slay is capable of doing that but needs help from the likes of youngsters CB Amani Oruwariye and S Tracy Walker. The offense around rookie QB David Blough is missing several key pieces, but WR Kenny Golladay remains one of the NFL’s premium red-zone weapons.

Who wins? Packers are vying for playoff seeding. Packers 37, Lions 13

Jeff Risdon

GB@Det / NYJ@Buf / Cle@Cin / LAC@KC / Chi@Min / Mia@NE / Atl @TB / NO@Car / Was@Dal / Oak@Den / Ari@LAR / Phi@NYG / Ind@Jax / Pit@Bal / Ten@Hou / SF@Sea

USA TODAY Sports Network’s NFL Week 16 game previews, predictions

The USA TODAY Sports Network previews Week 16 in the NFL, with Bills-Patriots, Cowboys-Eagles and Packers-Vikings leading the schedule.

Week 16 of the 2019 NFL season is here. With two games remaining on the schedule, eight of the 12 postseason berths already have been clinched. But none of the seed have been sewn up yet, so much remains at stake in the playoff picture this weekend.

On Saturday, the gritty Buffalo Bills, who are seeking their first division title since 1995, visit the mighty New England Patriots with a chance to move into a tie atop the AFC East with their longtime nemesis.

On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys travel to play the Philadelphia Eagles with a chance to clinch the NFC East. The Eagles need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, in a game quarterback Carson Wentz called the biggest of his career.

On Monday, the Green Bay Packers hit the road to play the Minnesota Vikings with an opportunity to clinch the NFC North. With a win, the Vikings will remain alive for the division title and a potential first-round bye — but they might have to do it without star running back Dalvin Cook.

For those with their eyes already on the 2020 NFL Draft, there is an epic pillow fight in South Florida between the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins — combined record: 4-24.

To see which games will be shown on network TV in your area, visit our Week 16 game maps article here.

Without further ado, here are your NFL game previews for Saturday (Dec. 21), Sunday (Dec. 22) and Monday (Dec. 23):

 

Houston Texans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DeAndre Hopkins Houston Texans
James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

TV: 1 p.m. ET Saturday, NFL Network

Records: Texans 9-5, Buccaneers 7-7

Line: Texans by 3½

Satellite radio: Texans feed on Sirius 108 (streaming 812), Bucs feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 829)

Texans’ keys: QB Deshaun Watson needs to take advantage of Tampa Bay’s weak secondary, though that group has been making strides in the season’s second half.

Buccaneers’ keys: Let QB Jameis Winston be Jameis Winston. Over the past month, he has bounced back from early-season mistakes.

Who wins? Taking down a talented Houston team would give Tampa Bay, which has won five of its last six games, confidence heading into the offseason. Buccaneers 34, Texans 28

Colin Liotta

Hou@TB / Buf@NE / LAR@SF / Jax@Atl / Bal@Cle / NO@Ten / Car@Ind / Cin@Mia / Pit@NYJ / NYG@Was / Det@Den / Oak@LAC / Dal@Phi / Ari@Sea / KC@Chi / GB@Min

USA TODAY Sports Network’s NFL Week 15 game previews, predictions

The USA TODAY Sports Network previews Week 15 in the NFL, with Bills-Steelers, Rams-Cowboys and Texans-Titans leading the schedule.

Three more weeks. That’s all that remains of the 2019 NFL regular season.

As the field of postseason contenders gets thinner by attrition, we focus on several games in Week 15 with particular importance to the playoff picture.

The Houston Texans visit the Tennessee Titans with first place in the AFC South at stake, and Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill has a chance to make history in a statistical sense.

The Los Angeles Rams travel to North Texas to face the Dallas Cowboys in a rematch of last season’s divisional playoff game. Even though the Rams have the better record, it’s the Cowboys who are in a better position to make the playoffs.

Finally, in what might be the best matchup of the week, the surprising Buffalo Bills hit the road to face the resilient Pittsburgh Steelers in a game with implications on the AFC wild cards.

To see which games will be shown in your area, visit our Week 15 game maps article here.

Without further ado, here are your NFL game previews for Sunday (Dec. 15) and Monday (Dec. 16):

 

New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals

Bill Belichick New England Patriots
Todd Olszewski/Getty Images

TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS

Records: Patriots 10-3, Bengals 1-12

Line: Patriots by 9½

Satellite radio: Pats feed on Sirius 134 (streaming 820), Bengals feed on Sirius 81 (streaming 806)

Patriots’ keys: Lean on Rex Burkhead and James White through the air against a defense that has struggled to contain running backs in the passing game.

Bengals’ keys: DEs Carlos Dunlap and Carl Lawson will have to get after Patriots QB Tom Brady and force him into game-changing mistakes.

Who wins? The Patriots’ defense is suffocating, and the offense can scheme up ways to exploit one of the NFL’s worst defenses. The Bengals have scored more than 20 points in a game twice all season and are unlikely to match a team coming off two straight December losses. Patriots 30, Bengals 13

Chris Roling

NE@Cin / TB@Det / Chi@GB / Hou@Ten / Den@KC / Mia@NYG / Phi@Was / Sea@Car / Jax@Oak / Cle@Ari / Min@LAC /LAR@Dal / Atl@SF / Buf@Pit / Ind@NO

Thanksgiving NFL TV info, point spreads, predictions

The USA TODAY Sports Network foreshadows the Bears-Lions, Bills-Cowboys and Saints-Falcons Thanksgiving NFL matchups.

Football has been an indelible part of Thanksgiving Day for decades, and this year’s NFL schedule goes retro in that regard.

In 1934, the Lions began a franchise tradition of playing on Thanksgiving by playing host to the Chicago Bears. The visitors would win that game, 19-16, but it established an annual football ritual in Detroit. The Lions have played a home game on Thanksgiving annually since then, except for a six-season hiatus from 1939 to 1944.

The Bears visit Detroit this Thanksgiving as well, marking the 18th time the teams have clashed on the holiday. Chicago holds a 9-8 series lead entering the 2019 matchup.

After that, the Buffalo Bills visit the Dallas Cowboys in a battle of teams with designs on the playoffs. The night game is an NFC South grudge match between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons.

Look for the rest of the Week 13 game previews from the USA TODAY Sports Network on Friday.

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

David Montgomery Chicago Bears
(Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports)

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Fox

Records: Bears 5-6, Lions 3-7-1

Line: Bears by 2½

Bears’ keys: Getting a couple of long runs from rookie RB David Montgomery would do wonders to reduce the pressure on QB Mitchell Trubisky to engineer long drives, which is not his game.

Lions’ keys: QB Jeff Driskel’s ability to avoid pressure and run will stress the Bears’ defense. It’s imperative for Detroit’s defense to pressure the Bears and force their offense to work for its accomplishments.

Who wins? Detroit’s special teams will make a big splash in what remains the most important game on the Lions’ calendar every season. Lions 27, Bears 21

Jeff Risdon

Buf@Dal / NO@Atl

USA TODAY Sports Network’s NFL Week 12 game previews, predictions

The USA TODAY Sports Network previews the Week 12 games, including the Cowboys-Patriots, Packers-49ers and Ravens-Rams matchups.

Week 12 of the 2019 NFL season is upon us, and playoff races are ramping up in earnest.

The Houston Texans edged the Indianapolis Colts, 20-17, on Thursday night to take sole possession of first place in the AFC South. That is one of several key games with implications on the playoff picture this week. The Seattle Seahawks visit the Philadelphia Eagles in a battle of teams who sit one game out of first place in the NFC West and NFC East, respectively. The Dallas Cowboys travel to meet the New England Patriots in an interconference matchup of two of the NFL’s most popular teams.

The Green Bay Packers travel to California to take on the San Francisco 49ers in a matchup of division leaders on Sunday night. The Baltimore Ravens, currently ranked No. 1 in the Touchdown Wire Power Rankings, face a road test against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

Without further ado, here are our Week 12 previews with TV info, point spreads, keys to the game for both teams and score predictions.

(The Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings have a bye this week.)

Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

TV: Fox, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Records: Seahawks 8-2, Eagles 5-5

Line: Eagles by 1½

Seahawks’ keys: The ability of QB Russell Wilson, the highest-rated passer for the bulk of this season, to put stress on the Eagles as a runner and a passer.

Eagles’ keys: QB Carson Wentz and Philadelphia will look to maintain its efficient run-pass balance.

Who wins: The Eagles take advantage of the 1 p.m. ET flex time. Eagles 31, Seahawks 28

— Glenn Erby