This one is going to be loads of fun
NFL Week 14 begins with one of the more crucial games of the season between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. I look at the NFC North and am reminded of how the NFC West was back in the Jim Harbaugh Days when everyone (yes, even the then-St. Louis) Rams made it an absolute gauntlet of a division. It was pretty frustrating when other divisions were dysfunctional, but the West had to have three competent front offices.
In my opinion, the NFC North is the strongest division in the conference, though the NFC East may have something to say about that. Tonight, there will be a big clash with some playoff repercussions.
The Lions have made a case to be the best team in football right now. They have dealt with some significant injuries yet manage respectable numbers on offense. They are leading the NFC with 11 wins, with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Lions’ own rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, behind them at 10. A win here not only helps them keep pace but would help them in tiebreakers later on if the Vikings were to tie them in win totals later. As you know, if you don’t win the division, you get kicked to the 5th seed at best and have to go on the road.
If Detroit wins tonight, they don’t get the division but clinch a spot in the playoffs. That is huge. Green Bay is a few wins back of the division but has their own playoff hopes to play for. As I said, the NFC North will probably have three out of their four teams in the playoffs.
The Packers played the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago, and we know how that story ended. When you have the 49ers’ issues of not getting out of their own way combined with the Packers getting better week after week, you get that 38-10 thumping we witnessed.
The Packers managed to deter the run game for the 49ers, so that might be something they can do against the Lions. Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are a two-man wrecking crew, and between them, they get the Lions over 100 yards rushing more times than not.
FanDuel Sportsbook has the Lions favored by 3.5 points. Given the scenarios and what everyone is playing for, the Packers will keep it close. I believe Detroit wins this, but it will come down to the wire, and the Packers should be within that number. The over-under is set at 52.5. I have no problem betting the over on this one. Both teams are going to get their scores.
This should be an interesting and fun game tonight.