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The Detroit Lions laid an egg last time out, eliminating their chance at making the playoffs with a loss to the Bengals. It didn’t sound likely at the start of the season but the Lions and Green Bay Packers will face off in Week 17 with nothing on the line.
Green Bay was sidetracked this season by a prolonged absence of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After a short-lived return he is back on injured reserve, which will make the Packers a big underdog in this matchup.
Detroit coach Jim Caldwell could be on the hot seat so he is hoping to at least pick up a victory and finish with a winning season in order to boost his chances of keeping the top job with the Lions.
This contest in Week 17 of the regular season will go down Sunday, December 31, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at Ford Field.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Green Bay Packers +7
Detroit Lions -7
Over/Under 42.5
Odds Analysis
The Packers are touchdown underdogs in this matchup. The betting public has made it clear that this spread is too high as more than 93 percent of the action has jumped on Green Bay to cover the spread. The scoring total is much lower than it would be if Rodgers was still playing. The bettors believe the total is still too high as about two-thirds of the action is on the “under” thus far.
Injury Report
Jordy Nelson —The Packers wide receiver missed Saturday’s game against the Vikings with a shoulder injury. He was missed and would be a key guy to get back, although it may not make a lot of sense for the Packers to play him unless he is completely ready to return.
Aaron Jones — The Green Bay running back is dealing with a knee injury and seems unlikely to play in the finale. He has been a bright spot at times this season but has also dealt with injuries. It’s a missed opportunity as Jones wants to establish himself as a running back to use moving forward in 2018.
Don Barclay — The Lions’ guard was placed on injured reserve with a concussion. Detroit has the more talented quarterback in Matthew Stafford but the offensive line has to keep him protected, and the loss of Barclay doesn’t help matters.
Key Stat
Zero. That’s how many points Green Bay scored last week against Minnesota in the team’s first game since Rodgers went back on injured reserve. With the playoffs out of reach, the Packers decided to sit Rodgers for the remaining two games of the season.
The loss last week to the Vikings was Green Bay’s second shutout this season. Both have been with Brett Hundley running the offense. Hundley will definitely be looking to make a better showing this season in the last game of the season.
Green Bay’s other shutout this season came against the Ravens on November 19th. With Hundley as their starter, the the Packers have averaged 16.4 points per game this season and they face off against a Lions offense that is averaging 25 points a game.
Free ATS Pick
This one seems like it could be lopsided. These teams are about equal in talent level beyond quarterback, and the Lions have a big advantage there with Stafford. Take Detroit to dominate through the air in this one and cruise to the victory.
Even though the spread is big, take Detroit to cover it against the hapless Packers. It’s been a poor year for a Green Bay team used to winning, and it will end on a sour note.
NFL Odds: Lions 27, Packers 16
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