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The Green Bay Packers were a -3 favorite across the board verses the Detroit Lions on the road. One has to wonder why the Packers would not be a slightly bigger favorite against a team that was hideous in Atlanta last week.
In fact, the Lions might be among the ten worst teams in the league right now. The Packers look to be among the top ten best.
With that said, Gambling911.com sees a line of Green Bay -4 ½ in this one. Oddsmakers see things differently. And it's not as if everyone is betting on Detroit, forcing the odds down. Nearly 95 percent of the early action was on Green Bay. The line opened at -3 1/2 at some locations but we won't see much more of a line movement here. A line of -4 could lead to a "push" scenario. A line moved up to -4 ½ could result in a very strong middling opportunity. For example, if Green Bay Packers are bet at -3 at one online sports book and Detroit is bet at another on the +4 ½ line. If the game falls on "4", which is very possible, you win both bets. Watch to see if one of the bookmakers brings this one to -4 ½ just in case.
The Dope Sheet offers some great facts that give Green Bay the edge here:
Green Bay has won 13 of the last 15 over Detroit. Both of those losses (2003 and '05) have come at Ford Field.
Green Bay has won three of its last four road openers. The lone loss over that period came in Detroit in 2005.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers responded to the pressure of his first career start against one of the league's top defensive units with an outstanding performance. The fourth-year Cal product was accurate (18-of-22, 81.8%) and efficient (178 yards, 115.5 passer rating), passing for a touchdown and running for another. A night of firsts for Rodgers included his first 'Lambeau Leap' after sealing the victory with his 1-yard plunge in the fourth quarter.
The Green Bay defense did its part, keeping Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson in check and pressuring Tarvaris Jackson (59.0 rating) all night. When called upon to make a final stop, safety Atari Bigby came up with the necessary big play, an interception to preserve victory.
Green Bay has actually played better on the road (11-5) than at home (10-6) under Head Coach Mike McCarthy, and they'll need to rely on that road success in '08.
The Packers are looking for their sixth straight win in the series, which would match a Green Bay string from 2000-03. Six straight is the longest series winning streak by either team since the Lions won 11 straight from 1949-54.
