We begin Week 4 of the NFL 2023 season with a clash from the NFC North where a pair of 2-1 sides do battle at Lambeau Field as the Green Bay Packers look to go 2-0 in the division when they host the Detroit Lions.
The Packers were expected to struggle this season but that isn’t the script they have been reading while there was plenty of optimism around the Detroit Lions and if that is to be justified these are the kind of matches they have to be winning.
Green Bay Packers
When you consider who the Green Bay Packers lost on the offensive side of the ball between last season and this one, it is understandable why not too much was expected of the cheeseheads but they have started their campaign positively with a pair of wins in their opening three matches. The wins are welcome but what will have pleased them the most is the displays of Jordan Love, who has seven touchdowns and just the one interception so far after replacing Aaron Rodgers.
The Green Bay offense hasn’t looked as flashy as it did under Rodgers but you wouldn’t really expect it to but it has been efficient and with the quality of the defence that they have a lot of the times that is all it will need to be. The Packers are carrying a few injuries into this match which isn’t ideal when there hasn’t been much of a turnaround but they go into the contest knowing they can take an early significant step towards the NFC North crown with a win here.
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Detroit Lions
This will be the second time the Detroit Lions have played on a Thursday night this season after they opened their campaign in Kansas City in the first campaign of the year. They won that match so they will be looking for another Thursday road win here. It is never easy for teams to go on the road on a Thursday during a season though, least of all to a place where you don’t have a great record. Top spot in the division is on the line though so that should inspire them to deliver.
Detroit have added a second win to their ledger since they beat the Kansas City Chiefs in week one and had it not been for an overtime defeat to Seattle Sounders after the win over the Chiefs, the Lions would have been going into this one 3-0. Detroit are a balanced side on offense and with an elite looking rookie pass rusher at their disposal there is a lot to like about the Lions if the short turnaround and travel doesn’t catch up with them.
Betting
I’m really not a fan of backing road teams in these Thursday night matches because of the short turnaround but the Green Bay Packers’ injuries just force me into getting involved on the Detroit Lions here. The Packers are missing a number of defensive players and worse still there are a couple of offensive tackles who are not expected to play and with Aidan Hutchinson on the other side of the ball that spells immediate danger signs.
Green Bay have surprised people this season but their first victory was against a Chicago Bears who look dreadful and then last week New Orleans Saints missed a game winning field goal against them and lost their quarterback mid-match so that could easily have gone the other way. I think there has been much more assurance about the Lions, who while their overall recent record at this ground isn’t the best, they do have the memories of denying the Packers a playoff spot with a week 18 win here last season. Detroit have now won the last three meetings between these two sides and I expect them to make that four here.
Tips
Back Detroit Lions (-1) to beat Green Bay Packers for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Coral
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