Week 1 of the NFL season is over and we now turn our attention to Week 2. The Monday Night Football matchup this week features two 0-1 teams from the NFC North, looking to get back on track.
The Lions will travel to Green Bay, coming off a game in Week 1 in which they allowed 41 points. Detroit did battle back in that game, but the defense is a major issue for new head coach Dan Campbell.
Their opponent will be the Green Bay Packers, who might have had the most disappointing loss in Week 1. Can Aaron Rodgers bounce back against a team he has historically dominated? Or can the Lions pull off the massive upset as double-digit underdogs?
Let’s get into the matchup and our best bets for Week 2 in the MNF football predictions series.
MNF Best Bet: Packers -10.5 (-110) at BetMGM
For in-depth analysis of this NFL bet of the day and others, continue reading.
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Monday Night Football Prediction Week 2
Both teams have an 0-1 record heading into Week 1, but the Packers and Lions are heading in different directions. The Packers are legitimate contenders in the NFC with the reigning MVP at quarterback. It’s only a matter of time before they bounce back in a big way, which is reflected in the NFL gameday odds.
The Lions are a franchise looking to build a new culture under head coach Dan Campbell. They did show some fight in Week 1, but the defense allowed 41 points at home. Jared Goff was better than expected, but his lack of playmakers outside of T.J. Hockenson could be a problem here in Week 2.
With the Lions having arguably the worst defense in football, the Packers should win this game by double digits. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Green Bay scored into the mid-30s, as Rodgers tends to shine in primetime.
MNF Week 2 Pick: Packers 31, Lions 13
Monday Night Football Best Bets Week 2
MNF Best Bet: Packers -10.5 (-110) at BetMGM
Rodgers has dominated the Lions throughout his entire career, throwing 46 touchdowns to just eight interceptions in 22 career games. For whatever reason, he has had a ton of success against Detroit, and this game provides a perfect opportunity to show the world he is still the reigning MVP and the best quarterback in the NFL.
While it’s fair to be a bit concerned about the Packers, the talent differential in this game is absurd. Green Bay will be among the best teams in the league by the end of the season, while Detroit might be battling for the No. 1 pick. The Lions just don’t have the defensive playmakers to hold the Packers under 28 points and that was even before former No. 3 overall pick Jeffrey Okudah went down with an Achilles’ injury.
This game shouldn’t be close at all, and Green Bay should easily win by double digits, making this our pick of the day. Take the Packers against the spread here despite the big line.
MNF Best Bet: Under 48.5 points (-110) at BetMGM
The Packers should have no problem scoring points in this game, but can the Lions keep up? Detroit did score 33 points in Week 1, but 16 of those points came in the fourth quarter when the game was essentially over.
Goff has never been a strong quarterback outdoors, and with Tyrell Williams in concussion protocol, his receiving weapons will be limited. Look for Detroit to struggle to move the ball and convert in the red zone.
The only way the Over hits is if the Lions can score into the low to mid-20s, but that feels unrealistic given how much their offense struggled early against the 49ers.
Under 48.5 is the play here in this NFC North matchup.