Lions vs Packers Week 18: NFC North Battle Has Major Playoff Implications

• Detroit Lions have won 7 of their last 9 games and need a Week 18 win to advance
• The 8-8 Green Bay Packers continue to control their postseason destiny, need a win
• Watch Lions vs Packers live on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 8:20 PM ET on NBC

Lions vs Packers Week 18 Odds

Lions vs Packers Week 17 Picks

POINT SPREAD: Green Bay Packers -4.5 (-110) at Caesars

POINTS TOTAL: Over 49 (-110) at DraftKings

SPECIAL: First TD Scorer AJ Dillon (+450) at FanDuel

POINT SPREAD: Green Bay Packers -4.5 (-110) at Caesars

This NFL Week 18 NFC North battle has major playoff implications as the 8-8 Detroit Lions take on the 8-8 Green Bay Packers, with fiery HC Dan Patrick’s Lions needing a win and some outside help to keep their playoff hopes alive after having won 7 of their last 9 games verses young HC Matt Lafleur’s Packers and his future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers on a four game win streak and needing one more win to move on.

The oddsmakers tell us that the Detroit Lions led by QB Jared Goff (who hasn’t thrown a pick since early November) have covered the spread in each of their last nine games against NFC North opponents, these divisional rivalries tough to predict since each one carries its own important weight, this one to the Green Bay Packer’s advantage since it’s being played at Lambeau Field.

Here is another factoid the sportsbooks have put out for us to digest - the Lions have won four of their last five games as underdogs, a trend that might not hold against QB Rogers in January now that he and his young receivers including rookies Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are figuring each other out, that group posting multiple receiving TDs in nine different games this year.

POINTS TOTAL: Over 49 (-110) at DraftKings

During these last four Green Bay wins, their defense has held opponents to under 21 points which is mathematically perfect for wins given the offense averages 22.1 points per game, and since according to the sportsbooks the Packers' last 13 games in January have gone over the total points line that is how we like this final game of the season to go with both teams firing on all offensive cylinders.

It's the Detroit Lions who have been the bigger scorers this season, their offense ranked fifth in points per game after averaging 27.1 in 2022, this team coming off a total stomping of the Bears in Week 17 where QB Goff threw for 255 yards and 3 TDs with no turnovers, his 133.5 rating turning NFL heads as he warms up late in the season trying to help keep his Lions’ postseason chances alive.

Two factors to be considered in Week 18 will be the winter weather and the injuries, this game happening in Wisconsin in an outdoor venue where cold wind and snow can affect scoring, as can injuries so check the list before wagering, right now with the Lions listing four players as questionable and the Packers listing seven players as game time coach’s decisions.

SPECIAL: First TD Scorer AJ Dillon (+450) at FanDuel

For sports bettors in the mood for something different in Week 18, FanDuel is offering this Special wager that asks the gambler to guess which player will score the first touchdown in the game, their favorite being Packers RB Aaron Jones (+450) but he has not scored a TD in the last two games, though this season he has 7 total scores both on the ground and through the air.

We like the second favorite here – Packers’ other RB A.J. Dillon, a 6’ 0” 247 powerhouse out of Boston College who has scored a TD in the last five games that Green Bay has played, this season with 7 total touchdowns, also a dual threat out of the backfield with 28 catches this season for 206 yards but no receiving scores, his TD contributions mainly on the ground.

Lions fans can bet on their man RB Jamaal Williams (+850) who this season has a career high 15 total rushing touchdowns for Detroit right now leading the league in run TDs along with 246 carries for 994 yards and 12 catches for 73 yards, a 6’ 0” 224 pound bruiser from BYU who has been in the league for six seasons, his first four years spent with the Green Bay Packers.

How to Watch Lions vs Packers

• What: Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers
• Where: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI
• When: Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 8:20 PM ET
• How: NBC