Not all games on the Week 18 slate of the 2021 NFL season are pivotal affairs that will decide the entire playoff picture. One such contest is Sunday’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions, as the former is already locked in as the top seed in the NFC and with the latter simply looking forward to the 2022 NFL Draft already. Regardless of what’s at stake, this divisional showdown still has huge betting upside for those familiar with how the final week of the NFL regular season normally pans out involving a team that’s a lock for the postseason already.

NitroBetting is ready to equip its bettors with all the latest previews and NFL betting odds for Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season. This time, we look at the intriguing NFC North matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. Find out more about the teams and the key players, event information, the latest NFL odds, and of course, helpful betting trends and expert betting predictions.

Packers vs. Lions Information

No. 1️⃣2️⃣ continues to make history.@AaronRodgers12 | @JackLinks | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/7h2usa25w1

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 4, 2022

• When: Sunday, January 9, 2022, 1:00 PM ET
• Where: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
• TV: CBS
• Radio: WTMJ 620 Am (Packers) / WXYT-FM 97.1 (Lions)
• Live Stream:NFL Network, NFL League Pass
• NFL Odds: Packers (-11) / Lions (+11)

READ MORE: Bengals vs. Browns 2021 NFL Week 18 Odds, Preview, & Pick

Why Bet on the Green Bay Packers?

What more could be said in praise of the 13-3 Green Bay Packers? Aaron Rodgers and Co. are playing fantastic football down the stretch with five consecutive wins capped off by Sunday night’s 37-10 demolition of the Minnesota Vikings.

Rodgers had another terrific performance under center, completing 29 of 38 passes for 288 yards and a pair of touchdowns. A-Rod is on pace to win back-to-back league MVP honors with nearly 4,000 passing yards and 35 passing TDs to just four interceptions this season. Green Bay’s running game is also firing on all cylinders, amassing 174 rushing yards against the Vikes this past weekend.

It’s also the first time that the Packers held an opponent to under 22 points during their current five-game win streak. This might not be the case once more in Week 18, especially if head coach Matt LaFleur opts to rest most of his starters on both defense and offense in an otherwise meaningless contest playoff-wise.

Why Bet on the Detroit Lions?

Although the Detroit Lions just gave up the most points to any opponent this entire season during their 51-29 loss to the Seattle Seahawks this past week, there’s still something very admirable about how Dan Campbell and the boys from the Motor City are giving their opponents all they could handle.

Rookie wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to amaze in the final stretch of the 2021 campaign. The fourth-round pick out of USC finished with eight catches for 111 receiving yards and a TD, as well as 23 rushing yards and another trip to the end zone with his feet. What makes St. Brown’s breakout party even more impressive is that he’s still putting up gaudy numbers despite having backup QB Tim Boyle throwing passes his way for the past two weeks and not Jared Goff (knee injury).

Sadly, it’s only been St. Brown who’s been a bright star on this otherwise lackluster Detroit offense and we don’t need to elaborate further on the team’s bottom-five defense in terms of yards and points allowed. That being said, the Lions would need every bit Green Bay’s help in sitting out its top performers this week just to stand a chance at pulling off a rare upset against the one division rival that has terrorized them for ages.

Packers vs. Lions Betting Trends

• The Packers are 5-3 on the road this season (SU/ATS).
• The Packers have won five straight meetings against Detroit, but are just 2-3 against the spread.
• The totals went under in four of Green Bay’s last six road games.
• The Lions are 2-5 at home this season with those two wins coming in succession of late and with an inverse 5-2 record against the spread at that.
• The Lions are 1-4 in the last five games as double-digit underdogs (4-1 ATS).
• The totals went under in four of the last six meetings between Detroit and Green Bay.

Packers vs. Lions Expert Betting Predictions

One could easily believe that this is an easy blowout win for the Packers. However, Rodgers and Co. would be better off resting their starters and preparing for the postseason ahead. In turn, this should inspire enough confidence unto several bettors that the Lions can cover the relatively huge spread going up against most of Green Bay’s backup players.

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 NFL Regular Season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.