Packers poised to secure playoff spot

By DAN ZIELINSKI

The Green Bay Packers have a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday and some help from teams across the NFL in Week 14.

Earlier this season, the Packers (9-3) defeated the Lions (5-7), 42-21, at Lambeau Field. Now the NFC North rivals will meet at Ford Field in Detriot, a place the Packers have regularly had lackluster performances.

The Lions knocked off the Chicago Bears, 34-30, in Chicago last Sunday. It was the Lions’ first game under interim coach Darrell Bevell and snapped a two-game losing skid.

In Week 17 last year at Ford Field, the Packers nearly lost to the three-win Lions but frantically came back. The Packers scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, with Mason Crosby kicking a game-winning field goal with three seconds left.

Will the Packers have a similar performance on Sunday? The Lions are allowing opponents to score 34.2 points per game at Ford Field this season. The Packers are averaging 36.5 points per contest at indoor venues this season. Overall, the Packers are the NFL’s top-scoring offense, while the Lions have the 31st ranked scoring defense.

The Packers’ offense has excelled all season, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the MVP favorite right now. I wouldn’t bet against the Packers’ offense against a mediocre defense.

Prediction: Packers 31, Lions 20