Lions vs. Packers 2016 picks and predictions: Green Bay strongly favored despite poor start

The Green Bay Packers enter Week 3 with more questions than answers, while the Detroit Lions could be more competitive than expected. Both teams square off at Lambeau Field this week in a critical NFC North matchup.

The Packers beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 but looked less than sharp. They raised even more concerns last week, coming out flat in a 17-14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Aaron Rodgers, despite being healthy, continued the bizarre slump he’s been in since last season. He finished the game with just 213 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 20-of-36 passing, throwing for only 5.9 yards per attempt.

Jordy Nelson is back, but he hasn’t quite looked like the Nelson of old and isn’t giving the Packers’ offense that extra spark it was hoping for. Eddie Lacy had a highly public weight loss regimen in the offseason, but his on-field results are still lacking, rushing for only 50 yards on 12 carries in Week 2. The Vikings have one of the NFL’s best defenses, so that could explain the Packers’ poor performance, but fans will be eager to see them return to form sooner rather than later.

The Lions had an impressive comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, but they let one slip away against the Tennessee Titans last week, giving up a game-winning touchdown to an ancient Andre Johnson.

To make matters worse, running back Ameer Abdullah picked up a foot injury that landed him on injured reserve, costing him at least the next eight weeks. The defense also lost its best pass rusher in Ezekiel Ansah, who suffered a high ankle sprain and might not be ready to return this week. Detroit has a lot of talent on its roster, but injuries and uneven play will be big problems in 2016.

The Lions haven’t had much success in Lambeau Field (before last year, they hadn’t beaten the Packers on the road since 1991), so many experts are siding with Green Bay here. They’re unanimous picks at both ESPN and CBS Sports, and Louis Bien is the only writer here at SB Nation to pick Detroit.