Heading into a big regular season finale, here are 5 bold predictions for the Detroit Lions against the Green Bay Packers in Week 18.
For the second straight year, the Detroit Lions will play a prime time game at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. But this time (it was Monday Night Football last year), it’s Sunday Night Football and the final game of the 2022 regular season with potential playoff stakes (win-and-in) for both teams.
For the Packers, it’s a clear-cut win-and-in scenario. For the Lions, it’ll at least be a chance to play spoiler, finish the season above .500 at 9-8, set a general tone and earn a season sweep of the Packers.
The Packers are favored to win, and Sunday night’s game has the second-highest over/under on the Week 18 NFL slate (49.5 points, via FanDuel Sportsbook–odds subject to change).
As they look to finish the 2022 regular season on the highest of high notes, with a win if not a playoff berth, here are five bold predictions for the Detroit Lions against the Green Bay Packers in Week 18.
5 bold predictions for the Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers in Week 18
5. Jamaal Williams scores multiple rushing touchdowns
Williams leads the NFL with 15 rushing touchdowns this season, including five games where he has had multiple scores. So this prediction may not seem that “bold”. But he had gone without a touchdown in three straight games before Week 17 against the Chicago Bears, and he has just (relatively compared to his start to the season) three touchdowns over his last seven games.
Williams is also one touchdown shy of tying Barry Sanders’ single-season franchise record for rushing touchdowns (16; set in 1991) and two touchdowns would of course give him the record by himself.
On Friday, running backs coach Duce Staley noted the significance of getting Williams the touchdown (or touchdowns?) he needs.
Duce Staley said it would be "big" for Jamaal Williams to tie the franchise record for rushing TDs, needing just 1 more to tie Barry Sanders.
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) January 6, 2023
"He's going to have many chances."
Jamaal Williams has scored 15 touchdowns this season. Yards gained on each:
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) January 6, 2023
51 yards
13
7
4
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Compared to how they poorly they rank overall as a run defense, the Packers have been relatively stingy allowing rushing scores to running backs this season (11 over 16 games). But Williams will have plenty of chances to score against his former team, and doing so twice shouldn’t be a problem.