Lions vs. Packers Week 7: How to watch, storylines, injuries, and prediction

The Detroit Lions are off their bye week, headed back to Ford Field, and are set to host back to back NFC North clashes: one against the Green Bay Packers in Week 7, and another in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings.

This game, on paper, feels like the easiest of the two games - the Packers are 4-2, and have some big question marks around the viability of their offensive line and pass rush. They do, however, roster a great quarterback in Jordan Love, and still have a very solid cornerback room to work with in this game.

The Lions, on the other hand, are entering this game the healthier team. Brian Branch, known Packers menace, and newcomer to the rivalry, Cade Mays, will be back for this contest. Both will likely start, but the Lions are going to be cautious with both returning players.

Detroit is looking to finally win their first back-to-back games since Week 5 of the 2025 season with a victory over the Packers.

Last updated: Thursday, October 22, 10am EST

1. How to watch Lions vs. Packers in Week 7
2. Lions vs. Packers injuries
3. Storylines to watch for Lions vs. Packers
4. Prediction

How to watch Lions vs. Packers in Week 7

• Date: Sunday, October 25
• Time: 4:25pm EST
• TV Network: FOX Sports
• Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady

Lions vs. Packers injuries

Lions injury report

The Lions only have Ya-Sin listed as having been limited in practice. They seem ready to roll out a nearly 100% healthy roster for this game, save for an obvious Kerby Joseph-sized hole at safety. Still, it's nice to see Branch and Mays back at full throttle, and they should be big factors in this contest - especially Branch.

Packers injury report

So, quite the lengthy list here for the Packers. There's been no indication that their key players here - Love, Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, or Brandon Cisse - will be sitting out in Week 7. They wouldn't miss such a key contest against a divisional rival unless their injury was more serious. We'll keep an eye on this growing injury report from Green Bay, though.

Storylines to watch for Lions vs. Packers

How the offense looks with Mays at center

With Mays back, he'll be starting in place Juice Scruggs, who did an admirable job filling in for the Lions' starting center their first five games. While he hasn't been perfect, especially to start games, he has been a rock solid interior pass protector overall.

However, Mays - who was given a 3 year, $25 million deal this offseason to replace Graham Glasgow at center - was brought on thanks to his strong run blocking capabilities. The Lions rank 20th in success rate in run blocking this year, which makes the season that Jahmyr Gibbs is having so far even more impressive. Mays could help boost their success rate on that front given his strengths in gap schemes.

In addition to his run blocking, it'll be interesting to see if Mays can provide a bit more pass protection up the middle to start this game. Sacks have bogged the Lions down in first quarters this season, causing them to start slowly on offense in every game this year.

Brian Branch's first snaps since 2025

Branch is back, and adding to a safety room that now includes rookie Keith Abney II. The neophyte looked good in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, and it'll be interesting to see how often he gets rotated in for Branch and Chuck Clark. We've already heard from head coach Dan Campbell regarding his workload, as he doesn't anticipate he'll be taking a monstrous number of snaps in his season debut.

It's still going to be very fun to watch him out there on the field amid so many woes within the Lions' secondary. I'm personally trying to temper my expectations, but it does feel like such a huge boost to their defense to have such a strong tackler and ball hawk back in the fold. You hope that he can make an impact on Love's propensity for deep balls, but all in all, I just hope he has a healthy and successful debut.

First game since Sam LaPorta's contract comments

LaPorta came a bit out of left field recently to sound off on his current contract negotiations with the Lions, which have reportedly been tabled. He told the "Pardon My Take" podcast that he isn't "feeling the love" from the team while they wait to pay him, or franchise tag him, adding that he feels he's sacrificed more than enough to justify a pay day.

He's not entirely wrong that he has sacrificed for the team. He hurt his back last season en route to another great year statistically working alongside Jared Goff, and he continues to be one of their best blockers and receiving targets. However, a lot of starters sacrifice themselves, and their bodies, for the teams' success. Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa come to mind on that front.

So, yes, he deserves to be paid, but to posture as a sole sacrificial lamb for this Lions offense feels a little much. You hope this isn't a distraction for the team and their offense moving forward, but it does place an awkward vibe over the unit for Week 7. I doubt it impacts their production, though, especially with Goff being such a steady quarterback.

Prediction

While Green Bay has gotten better with each game, I'll go with Detroit walking away with a win by way of their health. They'll have Branch and Mays back, and I believe with Mays we'll get a big game from Gibbs on the ground versus a low-ranking run stopping team.

This could be the shootout we were promise with the Lions' game against the Carolina Panthers, especially with the Packers being down some key defenders - Micah Parsons, Edgerrin Cooper, and Javon Hargrave, to name a few. This game does scream "the Dani Dennis-Sutton breakout contest" as he could have a chip on his shoulder after not being selected by the Lions in this year's draft, but I trust their O-line to hold up.

Final score prediction: 38-31, Lions win.

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