NFL picks Week 1: Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers score predictions from experts originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers will square off in Week 1 at Lambeau Field in a matchup between two teams with Super Bowl aspirations.
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The Lions fell short of their goal in 2025 after a 15-2 season. Now, the team has seen some turnover on the coaching staff, with John Morton taking over for Ben Johnson and Kelvin Sheppard assuming Aaron Glenn’s old role.
The offensive line will also look different, with Graham Glasgow taking over for the retired Frank Ragnow and rookie Tate Ratledge and second-year lineman Christian Mahogany starting at the guard spots.
In 2024, Green Bay improved its regular-season record by two wins from the year prior, but the team took a step back in the postseason with a wild-card loss to the Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Packers made a massive splash ahead of Week 1 with the blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons, who Green Bay is hoping can take its defense to the next level.
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The Lions had the Packers’ number last season, with Detroit winning both regular-season meetings between the two teams. There’s no doubt Green Bay had this one circled on its calendar all offseason long.
Will the Lions spoil the added hype the Packers are receiving in the wake of the Parsons trade? Or will Green Bay make a statement against a divisional foe?
Here’s what experts think.
Lions vs. Packers picks, predictions for Week 1
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Lions 27, Packers 23
Iyer: “The Packers are getting the juice at home in this critical early NFC North game with Micah Parsons about to make his defensive debut. The problem is, the Lions will be comfortable running often at Parsons in Lambeau Field and have much fewer questions around the QB. Aidan Hutchinson gets the edge for more impact than Parsons.”
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Bill Bender, Sporting News: Lions 30, Packers 25
Bender: “Will Micah Parsons make his Packers’ debut? This a strange line seeing as though the Lions have won the last three meetings at Lambeau Field, and Dan Campbell is 6-2 against the Packers. Jordan Love (thumb) will be available, and he has a 1-4 S/U record with a 62.5% completion in five starts against Detroit. How much will rookie Matthew Golden help? The Lions get Aidan Hutchinson back, and the Packers will have to prove they can slow down David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.”
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Lions 27, Packers 24
Cluff: “The Lions have won their last three games against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Jared Goff will make it four straight with a big win in Week 1.”
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John Breech, CBS Sports: Lions 20, Packers 16
Breech: “The Lions have won three straight in Green Bay and if they win this game, they might as well change the name of the stadium to ‘Lionbeau field.'”
ESPN
Matt Bowen: Lions
Mike Clay: Lions
Kalyn Kahler: Lions
Seth Wickersham: Packers
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