NFL Week 5 Predictions: Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers

Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 10/6/13, 1:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Green Bay -6.5
Current Betting Line: Green Bay -7
Opening Total: 51.5
Current Total: 53
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Packers Steelers Super Bowl XLV Picks — The Green Bay Packers have absolutely owned the Detroit Lions when playing at home

Detroit has won back-to-back games, including a 40-32 victory over the Chicago Bears as three-point home favorites in Week 4, while going OVER the betting total of 48. The Lions have been more balanced offensively with the addition of running back Reggie Bush, who ranks second in the NFL in averaging 144.3 yards from scrimmage per game. He ran for a season-best 139 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries last time out. Detroit is 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS as underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last two-plus seasons, which is important to consider when making your NFL expert picks Sunday.

The Lions will certainly be able to attack vertically in the passing game, as the Packers rank 28th in the league in yards allowed through the air. Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson have connected 21 times for 362 yards in their last two visits to Lambeau Field. It’s important to point out this matchup featured two of the three teams in pro football that average at least 400 yards of offense and 30 points.

Green Bay returns to the gridiron after enjoying a bye week, as it looks to extend its 22-game home winning streak against Detroit, which is important to consider when making your pro football predictions. The Packers have compiled a dominating 32-10 overall record against NFC North opponents since 2006, including an 18-3 mark when playing in front of their fans. In games immediately following its bye week, the franchise has won 13 of its last 17 in that situation.

The Packers have won eight home games in a row, outscoring opponents by a 249-130 margin, while posting a plus-five turnover ratio. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has enjoyed facing division rivals in his career, as he’s thrown for 7,611 yards and 61 touchdowns with 15 interceptions—leading directly to a 110.1 passer rating. In nine games against the Lions, Rodgers has completed 68.5 percent of his passes and tallied 18 scoring strikes.