Green Bay Packers v Detroit Lions odds, predictions, and betting tips – Micah Parsons to make Packers debut

Week 1 of the 2025-26 NFL season is here, and in one of the matchups, we have an NFC North showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions live from Lambeau Field. 

Both teams are coming off playoff appearances, but have seen some significant changes to the roster and/or coaching personnel. 

Packers v Lions best bets

• David Montgomery under 1.5 receptions – 11/10 with bet365
• Jared Goff over 22.5 pass completions – 5/6 with BetMGM
• Tucker Kraft anytime TD scorer – 15/8 with Sky Bet

The Packers recently acquired former Dallas Cowboys edge rusher, and one of the best in the league, Micah Parsons, for two first-round NFL draft selections and Kenny Clark. 

Meanwhile, the Lions underwent several changes to their coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left to become the head coach for the Chicago Bears, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left to become the head coach for the New York Jets. 

Now, they have John Morton as their offensive coordinator. He was a senior offensive assistant for the Lions in 2022 and spent the last two seasons as the Denver Broncos’ pass game coordinator. 

At defensive coordinator, they promoted from within, and Kelvin Sheppard is the new man in charge. 

Additionally, Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is back. This will be his first game since suffering a fractured tibia and fibula last season. 

So, we have an NFC North matchup and two of the best edge rushers in football.

This is going to be an excellent matchup. 

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Packers v Lions preview

Heading into this game, there are so many variables to consider. 

The addition of Parsons for the Packers will make their defence, especially the pass rush, even more destructive. 

As for the Lions, it’s hard to know exactly what we’ll be getting. With Sheppard being promoted from within, there will probably be shades of what Glenn was able to do, but with Morton replacing Johnson, those are some massive shoes to fill. 

The Lions were one of the best offences in the NFL last season, scoring on nearly 68% of red zone trips (third in the NFL) and leading the league in points per game with 33.1. 

As for the Packers, it was a bit of a down season as quarterback Jordan Love suffered an injury in week 1 against the Eagles, and was forced to sit out weeks 2 and 3. 

Still, he was a solid downfield passer, but had eight dropped passes on pass attempts that went 10 yards or deeper. 

Now, he has first-round pick Matthew Golden at his disposal. In college last season with Texas, 26.5% of his targets were 20-plus yards downfield. 

Last season at home against the Lions, Love went 23 of 39 passing for 273 yards and had an interception. The Packers lost 24-14. 

So, the biggest questions here include: How will the Lions’ offence look with Morton at the helm, and how will he and the rest of the staff adjust to Parsons coming at them? 

There are certainly fewer unknown variables with the Packers, so it makes sense they’re favoured by 2.5 points at home. 

Packers v Lions betting tips

Find the latest odds for Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions courtesy of BetMGM. Odds are subject to change.

In 2024, the Lions beat the Packers in both outings, but the Week 1 odds are telling a different story. BetMGM believe the home team, with their new defensive star, have a slight edge – they’re 7/10 on the moneyline and a 2.5 point favourite on the spread.

The Lions and Packers spent all offseason preparing for one another, but the Lions certainly weren’t prepared for the addition of Parsons, who is a “game-wrecking” calibre player. 

With that in mind, here are our tips for the game. 

David Montgomery held to under 1.5 receptions

One thing I think that may be different for this season is the Lions’ running back usage. Remember, Morton was a passing game coordinator for the Broncos the last two seasons, and they have incredible receiving options, including Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Sam LaPorta, and even running back Jahmyr Gibbs. 

Last season, Montgomery caught 36 passes on 38 targets (94.7% catch rate). That was his highest catch rate ever. 

In 2023, his first season with the Lions, he caught just 16 passes. 

With Williams’ game-breaking speed and TeSlaa, who’s also a deep-threat, I think we could see the Lions air the ball out a bit more downfield. This will be Week 1 at Lambeau Field, so the bad weather conditions haven’t arrived just yet. 

I think we’ll also see the Lions err more on the side of Gibbs in the backfield. 

Last season, Montgomery finished with one catch or fewer in five of 14 games. 

This is a hunch. Week 1 will be telling for how the Lions plan to use these running backs. 

Tip David Montgomery to have fewer than two catches against the Packers at 11/10 with bet365

Jared Goff to complete over 22.5 passes

The Lions were one of the more run-heavy teams last season, with a run play percentage of 46.96% (eighth), but I think that will change. 

According to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard, Morton appears to have a more aggressive approach when it comes to downfield passing, including toward wide receiver Jameson Williams. 

Last season, Goff completed over 72% of his passes. 

I think we could see more “volatile passes,” meaning more downfield shots, but Goff still has excellent passing targets at all levels of the field, such as St. Brown, who dominated the 0-9-yard downfield mark. 

Last season, 56.5% of his targets came in that range, and Goff had an 86.1% completion rate over that area of the field. 

In one of the two games last season, Goff completed 32 of 41 passes against the Packers. 

I think it’ll happen again here. 

Back Jared Goff to complete 23 or more passes against the Packers at 5/6 with BetMGM

Tucker Kraft anytime TD scorer

Turning toward the Packers now, Kraft is someone that I’m extremely excited about in 2025. 

Among all tight ends last season with at least 40 targets, he led the NFL in yards after the catch per reception at 9.3 yards. 

The next closest was George Kittle at 6.6 yards. 

He saw 65 targets and had seven touchdowns. 

Six of them came in the red zone, and 19 of Love’s 25 touchdown passes came in that same area. 

To add, wide receiver Jayden Reed is dealing with a Jones fracture, and his Week 1 status is up in the air. 

While they have Golden now, Kraft will still be a massive part of the offence, especially in the red zone. 

Bet on Tucker Kraft to score a touchdown against the Lions at 15/8 with Sky Bet

Packers v Lions injury report

Here are all the key outs and doubts ahead of this week 1 matchup:

Green Bay Packers

• Out: Christian Watson (wide receiver) – knee, MarShawn Lloyd (running back) – hamstring
• Questionable: Xavier McKinney (safety) – calf, Aaron Banks (guard) – back, Jayden Reed (wide receiver) – foot, Dontayvion Wicks (wide receiver) – calf
• Doubtful: N/A

Detroit Lions

• Out: Ennis Rakestraw Jr (cornerback) – shoulder, Levi Onwuzurike (defensive lineman) – knee, Alim McNeill (defensive lineman) – knee
• Questionable: Graham Glasgow (centre) – lower leg, Taylor Decker (offensive tackle) – undisclosed, Terrion Arnold (cornerback) – hamstring
• Doubtful: N/A

Packers v Lions game info

Date: Sunday 7th September
Time: 9:25pm BST
Venue: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Where to watch: Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports NFL

About the author

Richard Janvrin

Richard Janvrin brings nearly a decade of experience covering sports, sports betting, and everything iGaming. Richard received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism/English from the University of New Hampshire. Throughout his career, Richard has written for sites like Bleacher Report, Forbes, The Game Day, WSN, Gambling.com, and many more.

Find him on Twitter: @RichardJanvrin

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