We had a do or die clash in the NFL 2022 season on Saturday night and we have another to conclude the regular campaign in the Sunday Night Football when the Green Bay Packers play host to the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field.
Almost from nowhere the Green Bay Packers know that if they win this match they will be the seventh seed in the postseason. Detroit will also finish in that position if they win should the Seattle Seahawks have lost earlier in the day.
Green Bay Packers
This was a season that was going absolutely nowhere for the Green Bay Packers a month ago when they were 4-8 for the year and looking like they were just going to be playing out their season. There were calls for Aaron Rodgers to be sat down to see what Jordan Love could offer the franchise but Matt Lafleur didn’t listen and now he could potentially reap the reward. They have won their last four matches and now need to win one home game against a division rival who they play twice a year to make the postseason.
The key to the success of the Packers in recent weeks is playing tough football. They have pounded it with the run when they have had the ball and their defence has stepped up and made big plays, especially in the secondary. When you add in that Rodgers is still perfectly active and able to move the chains when called upon, there is a lot to like about the Packers right now and if they do get into the postseason they will quietly like their chances.
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Detroit Lions
Things were going even worse for the Detroit Lions. They were 1-6 for their season after seven weeks but then they beat the Green Bay Packers which completely sparked them into life. Including that win, they are 7-2 for the last nine games and head into the concluding match of their regular campaign 8-8 and knowing that if they win on the road there is a chance they could make it into the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Credit must go to Dan Campbell for getting a tune out of his men regardless of what happens in Week 18. Offensively they have gone as well as anyone in the league for the last nine games and when their defence steps up and makes plays they are a tough side to beat. There is a lot of spirit in this team and they have won three road games this term. They come in here off the back of a thrashing of Chicago Bears and they can’t be ruled out.
Betting
It remains to be seen whether the Detroit Lions will have their destiny on the line in this match or not but whether they do or they don’t it is the Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones who I think is the man to watch. He has a rushing yards line of 58.5 which looks very much on the low side, with all other books apart from Betfair having their line into the 60s. I suspect that is because Green Bay also have A.J. Dillon to run the ball as well.
That means there is a feast or famine look about the season for Jones but in a match with a win and you’re in narrative to it, surely the ground game will go through Jones at least in the early stages of drives. With Rodgers will not completely comfortable with his thumb and Detroit not the greatest against the run there should be numerous running opportunities for the Green Bay back to cover what looks like a modest line when you consider he ran for 111 yards last week.
Tips
Back A.Jones – Over 58.5 rushing yards for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Betfair
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