The Green Bay Packers (8-8) will host the Detroit Lions (8-8) in the regular season finale – both for each team and the NFL – on Sunday night at Lambeau Field. The final spot in the NFC playoff field won’t be known until the outcome is decided, and the Packers only need a win over the Lions to clinch the No. 7 seed.
It’s possible, if the Los Angeles Rams beat the Seattle Seahawks earlier on Sunday, that the showdown is a win-and-in game for both teams.
There is a potential advantage awaiting the Packers: If the Seahawks beat the Rams, the Lions will be officially eliminated from the playoff field. Then again, the Lions are coached by Dan Campbell and will be motivated to knock the Packers out of the postseason even if Detroit has nothing to play for on Sunday night.
Here are five things to watch and a prediction for Sunday night’s regular season finale between the Packers and Lions:
Takeaways and the turnover margin are important factors every single week, but each stat feels especially important in this matchup. The Packers have 12 takeaways in the last four games, including an NFL-high nine interceptions. The Lions have an NFL-low 15 turnovers all season, and Jared Goff has gone eight straight games without a pick. More importantly, the Lions are 7-1 when they don’t turn the ball over this season, and 1-7 with at least one turnover. More on this fascinating battle of a takeaway-crazed Packers defense vs. the Lions’ turnover-evasive offense here.
Back in Week 9, Christian Watson was recovering from a concussion, Romeo Doubs lasted all of one play before injury and Jameson Williams was on injured reserve. Fast forward two months, and all three rookie receivers could play a critical role in the regular season finale. Watson is the Packers’ big-play creator, while Doubs – since returning from an ankle injury suffered in Detroit – leads the team in yards per route run. Williams had a 41-yard touchdown catch on his first NFL touch and delivered a 40-yard run last week. Watson and Williams have game-breaking speed. Sunday night could become something resembling a track meet if all three rookies get going.
The Lions are giving up 5.3 yards per carry, while the Packers are giving up 5.0. Neither team is good against the run (Lions: 25th in run defense DVOA, Packers: 30th) and both offenses are built around playing physical up front and running the football. To be fair,…
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