| GAME PREDICTIONS Week 17: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions |
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| Name | Record To-Date | This Week’s Pick | Score Prediction |
| Kris Burke | 13-2 | Green Bay Packers | 24-20 |
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Rodgers and the first string offense rest most of the game but people see what a fine tuned machine the Packers offense is without the key players. The defense makes a statement heading into the playoffs as Detroit has to rally to keep it close.
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| “Jersey” Al Bracco | 14-1 | Green Bay Packers | 27-19 |
| Packers are the winners of the “meh” bowl, with a few first half TDs from Aaron Rodgers & Co. and then a coast home behind the fugly beard of Matt Flynn. | |||
| Adam Czech | 13-2 | Green Bay Packers | 27-24 |
| Aaron Rodgers or no Aaron Rodgers, the Packers are a deep team that is able to compete even with backups on the field. The fans who paid to attend Sunday’s game might not be happy if Rodgers only plays a quarter or not at all, but they will be happy when the Packers finish the regular season 15-1. | |||
| Thomas Hobbes | 14-1 | Green Bay Packers | 21-17 |
| As much as players and coaches say that they take this game seriously, subconsciously it won’t take much for a team to stop caring. If either team gets ahead by 2 touchdowns watch for the backups. Green Bay wins for no other reason than they are at home. | |||
| Zach Kruse | 12-3 | Detroit Lions | 27-20 |
| The Lions need a win to avoid another trip to the Superdome, which means they’ll go with their starters for 60 minutes. The Packers have nothing to play for and will be playing it safe with several starters. Detroit gets its first win in the state of Wisconsin since 1991. | |||
| Chad Toporski | 13-2 | Detroit Lions | 35-27 |
| This is going to be a fairly high-scoring game. The Lions will likely play their starters for most, if not all, of the game; whereas, the Packers will pick and choose based on health and snaps. With Woodson and Matthews likely out, the defense is just not going to hold up. | |||
Chad Toporski, a Wisconsin native and current Pittsburgh resident, is a writer for AllGreenBayPackers.com. You can follow Chad on twitter at @ChadToporski
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I like the optimistic view from most of the Jersey Al group, but have to agree with Zach and Chad. The Lions are going to play all out to avoid a dreaded visit to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome while the Pack will cobble a team of backups looking not to get injured.
It will be enjoyable to see a lot of players we don’t normally see get a lot of playing time. If the Pack can pull this one off I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Just couldn’t bring myself to pick against the Packers in their last regular season game.
I hope MM goes with a heavy dose of Grant/Saine/Kuhn and limit the number of passes from Flynn simply from a clock killing/time of poss point of view.
I have confidence in Flynn but showing a better ability to run,at home,will add a little more worry in the playoffs for all visitors.
To win the game would be nice but knowing we can run in GB would be nicer.
Beating the Lions Sunday would be tantimount to wiping dog crap off your shoe.
LOL… nice one, Ron.
It will be interesting to see how MM & Co. play this one out. For every instance we have of MM keeping his eye on the ultimate prize and keeping his decisions focused on what’s best for his team to help them win the Superbowl…
…There’s another instance of MM’s machismo and bull-headedness, driving him to develop his team’s swagger, or as he calls it, “real confidence”.
Clearly, Rodgers will not play a full game, and other key players will be rested.. But at the same time, I keep having flashes of a more-than-slightly irritated Coach McCarthy at the podium barking out, “We’re nobody’s underdog!” and “We don’t believe in moral victories”.
Streaks don’t mean much, but I could see MM taking EXTREME pride in keeping the Lions winless in WI when he’s addressing his team behind the locked doors of the locker room…
All indications are that MM is coming around to the notion that sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. I think he’ll treat it like a preseason game. Personally, I hope he keeps Rodgers on the bench all game.
MM is to stubborn and hard headed to hand the Lions a win by starting the second offense and defense teams. ESPECIALLY at home in Lambeau Field. He will play Rodgers and the rest of the amazing starters for at least the first half to lock up a win.
This would have been an interesting game if both teams were playing for something, and with the possibility of meeting again in the playoffs. The Lions are getting thier confidence back and seem to be playing a little more disciplined.
Maybe in 2 weeks we will meet up playing for all the marbles. The Pack will be healthy and rested.
The Packers will take this game seriously. They will AT LEAST play the first team offense and defense for AT LEAST the first half. They want to finish the regular season 15-1. Even though they were so nonchalant when answering questions about being perfect, deep down inside, they wanted the perfect more than anything. It has been since 1991 since the Lions have won a game at Lambeau Field and that streak will continue for yet another season.
I have no idea what MM will do.
But…here’s what I’d do…
I play most backups on offense, and play all kinds of crazy plays. I’d do everything non-traditional and unexpected. Do everything to just give your opponents some headaches and worry when they game plan in the playoffs. Run like crazy…go for 4th and ones. Let em have a full script of things to wonder about come playoff.
Sorry to waste your space with this, cuz..what do I have at stake…I’m not even a coach for obvious reasons.