NFL Week 13 picks: Packers vs. Lions
Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half at Ford Field on November 26, 2015 in Detroit. Credit: Getty Images / Gregory Shamus
PACKERS (7-4) AT LIONS (4-7),
8:25 p.m.
TV: Ch. 2, NFL; Radio: WCBS (880, 101.9)
Packers by 3; O/U: 46 1⁄2
Thanksgiving started with the Lions carving up the Eagles and ended with the Packers laying an egg against the Bears. Now Detroit and Green Bay are playing on back-to-back Thursdays, and the Packers can’t afford another slip-up.
These teams played in Week 10 in what was one of the season’s most shocking results: an 18-16 Lions win at Lambeau Field, the franchise’s first win there since 1991. Of course, the Packers, an 11 1⁄2-point favorite, were my “Lock of the Week.” I can’t figure this team out. It started 6-0 and looked like a lock to make Super Bowl 50. Now, after four losses in five games, it’ll probably have to win three road games as a wild card to make it there. Not having Jordy Nelson is hurting more than most thought, and it’s made Aaron Rodgers look human at times.
The Lions, meanwhile, have won three in a row and are looking more like last year’s playoff team than the one that started this season 0-5. After falling to 1-7, Detroit shook up the front office and the team has responded. A week before, the team fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, the grandson of legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi. Imagine that: The Lions firing a Lombardi. Jim Bob Cooter, who easily has the best name in the game, took over, and not counting a 35-point loss in London, the Lions are playing like a different team.
I picked the Packers against the Broncos (loss), Panthers (loss) and Lions (loss), then picked the Vikings over the Packers (loss), and last week finally snapped the 0-4 skid when I took the Bears. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rodgers and Green Bay bounce back the way they did in Minnesota two weeks ago, but I’ll go with the hot team getting points at home.
Not including last week’s pick, me picking against the Pack may be a sign they’ll probably win. My cousins, who are big Packers fans, were sure to remind me of that on Thanksgiving.
The pick: Lions
BOB GLAUBER Packers
KIMBERLEY A. MARTIN Packers
TOM ROCK Packers
