Week nine of the NFL season draws to a close on Monday night when the NFC North is in focus. The Green Bay Packers host the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field in the Monday Night Football in a contest neither can afford to lose.
Minnesota Vikings have shot out in front in the division and have built a healthy lead and whoever loses here could find it difficult to catch them so this is a really big game.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers go into the match off the back of successive defeats prior to their bye week. One of those was to the Vikings so they can’t really afford another loss in the division if they are to remain in with a genuine chance of winning it. With a 4-3 record they are just on the right side of things but a third straight loss would make even getting a wildcard spot tough.
The obvious reason for their struggles has been the loss of Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Brett Hundley is inexperienced and this may well be the biggest game he could ever play in given the magnitude of it and the fact that it is on primetime. With running the ball proving difficult for the Packers the emphasis will be on Hundley to get the job done.
Detroit Lions
The Lions had made a good start to the season but have now lost three on the bounce either side of their bye week so they really need a pick-me-up here. Amazingly despite 423 passing yards from Matt Stafford last week they could not convert a single drive into a touchdown and if they are to kick on this season they have to get into the end zone.
If there is a positive for Detroit from their opening seven matches it has been that they are forcing quarterbacks to throw against them which should in theory make defending in the backfield a little easier. If they win this they will go 4-4 for the season and push for at least a wildcard spot but they need a winning run and fast.
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Betting
It is hard to go against the Detroit Lions here. Their run defence is such that Brett Hundley is likely to have to get the job done through the air but against New Orleans two weeks ago the shackles were on and they didn’t trust him with a downfield pass. There is also plenty of suggestion that his accuracy over distance is not good so Green Bay are in a spot of bother.
The evidence suggests that Detroit may not score an avalanche of points but Stafford and a talented, if underperforming, set of receivers can at least ensure they move down the field and whether it is through field goals or touchdowns I think they’ll win the game.
Speaking of field goals it makes sense to play over 3.5 of them in this match. Detroit are horrendous statistically in the red zone this season while Green Bay might not have the ability to get as close to the end zone as they would like. Both sides have excellent kickers so four field goals looks likely here.
Tips
WON – Back Detroit Lions to beat Green Bay Packers for a 4/10 stake at 1.78 with 888sport
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WON – Back Over 3.5 field goals for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Ladbrokes
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