Lions vs. Packers odds, prediction, betting tips for NFL Week 18 'Sunday Night Football'

Vinnie Iyer

Lions vs. Packers odds, prediction, betting tips for NFL Week 18 'Sunday Night Football' image

When the Packers host the Lions on "Sunday Night Football" in the final game of the 2022 NFL regular season (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), their NFC playoff lives will be on the line. Green Bay will earn the third wild-card berth and the No. 7 seed with a victory.

The Packers are riding a four-game winning streak going into Week 18. The Lions also have been strong of late, winning four of the past five games.

Should the Seahawks beat the Rams earlier on Sunday, the Lions cannot make the playoffs regardless of result. But in the case, they would be eager to play spoiler vs. their division rivals.

Here's everything to know about betting on Lions vs. Packers in Week 18, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for "Sunday Night Football."

Lions vs. Packers odds for Sunday Night Football

  • Spread: Packers by 4.5
  • Over/under: 48.5
  • Moneyline: Lions +180, Packers -225

The Packers have been in the sweet spot between field-goal and touchdown favorites and should play well at home again after routing the Vikings there last week. The Lions are coming off a home division romp over the Bears.

 

(betting odds per Bet MGM)

Packers vs. Lions all-time series

The Lions have won two in a row but the Packers still have dominated the series 105-74-7. Before those two results, both in the 2022 calendar year, the Packers had won five in a row. The Lions last won at Lambeau 31-0 in 2019, but that was when the Packers were resting players. The last meaningful win for Detroit in Green Bay came in 2015.

Three trends to know

—59 percent of spread bettors are siding with the Packers to take care of business at home.

—64 percent of total bettors are taking the over banking on the offenses to live up to expectations.

—The Packers have covered in half of their 16 games and the total has gone over in half of those games. The Lions are 11-5 against the spread with 10 games going over.

Three things to watch

Aaron Rodgers at home in the cold

Rodgers is 28-4 in 32 starts at Lambeau Field in December and January. He saves his best play often for the end and the Packers' offense will support him plenty with more of their rushing attack.

Jared Goff on the road outdoors

Goff has been stellar at home, but away from Ford Field, he's only thrown for 6 TDs with 4 INTs in 7 road games this season, rating 87.6. This is also the first time the Lions have played in prime time this season, creating another unfamiliar environment in relation to the Packers.

Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon vs. D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams

The running back duos have been hot of late. Dillon and Jones have traded leading the Packers. Swift and the former Packer Williams have been a dynamic duo of receiving and scoring. Whoever has more backfield yards from scrimmage will win the game.

Stats that matter

141.8 vs. 149.3. The first number is how many average rushing yards per game the Packers give up, No. 26 in the NFL. The second number relates to the Lions' run defense, No. 29 in the NFL. The team that can get into a positive game script with a lead and run the ball effectively in the second half will win.

Lions vs. Packers prediction

The Packers will be fired up with the opportunity to make the playoffs after they looked like they would have no chance at 4-8. Rodgers has been in this familiar position and won't let his team down at home, while Goff continues to be terrible on the road.

Packers 27, Lions 20

Vinnie Iyer

Vinnie Iyer Photo

Vinnie Iyer, has been with TSN since 1999, not long after graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He has produced NFL content for more than 20 years, turning his attention to full-time writing in 2007. A native of St. Louis, Mo. but now a long-time resident of Charlotte, N.C. Vinnie’s top two professional sports teams are Cardinals and Blues, but he also carries purple pride for all things Northwestern Wildcats. He covers every aspect of the NFL for TSN including player evaluations, gambling and fantasy football, where he is a key contributor. Vinnie represents TSN as host of the “Locked On Fantasy Football” podcast on the Locked On network. Over his many years at TSN, he’s also written about MLB, NBA, NASCAR, college football, tennis, horse racing, film and television. His can’t-miss program remains “Jeopardy!”, where he was once a three-day champion and he is still avid about crossword puzzles and trivia games. When not watching sports or his favorite game show, Vinnie is probably watching a DC, Marvel or Star Wars-related TV or movie.