The Detroit Lions got back on track with a more-decisive than the final score shows 20-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3. The defense had a rebound effort as the driving force for the victory, and the offense was good enough.
Now it's a short week for the Lions, as they'll head to Green Bay to take on the rival Packers on Thursday night to open Week 4. The Packers are also 2-1 this season, after coming back to beat the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. Their lone loss came to the Falcons in Week 2.
Via FanDuel Sportsbook, here are the early odds for Lions-Packers in Week 4, followed by a prediction.
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers: Early Week 4 Odds, Prediction
Point Spread:
Lions: -1.5 (-110)
Packers: +1.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
Lions: -116
Packers: -102
Over/Under (45.5 points)
Over: -110
Under: -110
A 1.5-point spread points to the easy expectation this will be a close game, tilted one way or another by a pivotal play or two and which teams makes said plays.
Prediction: Packers 24, Lions 21
Looking toward the short week and what looks to be an early pivotal division game to come, the Packers may have been extra cautious and held out some key players (Aaron Jones, Christian Watson, David Bakhtiari, Jaire Alexander) against the Saints. The Lions may have done the same thing against the Falcons in a couple cases, but it's fair to assume a couple notables will remain out for another game on a short week.
With that, I've got the Lions being plenty game but the Packers ultimately winning narrowly.
On the betting sides, the Packers cover, they hit on the moneyline and the under just barely comes in as those bettors bite their nails right to the end.
Note: Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.