Nolan Bianchi, Richard Silva, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News offer predictions for Sunday’s season opener between the Lions and Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin (4:25 p.m., CBS/97.1).
▶ Nolan Bianchi: So it begins. The Lions and Packers both have a lot to prove after falling short of their Super Bowl aspirations, with both teams believing this is the year to get over the hump. The Lions’ rebuilt offensive line will be tested against a Green Bay front that just added Micah Parsons, but from a rushing standpoint, the Lions should have an opportunity to feast: Detroit averaged 117.5 yards on the ground in two meetings with the Packers last year. Even after an offseason of change, I still believe the Lions are less volatile and more poised than the Packers. That’ll show once again in the result on Sunday afternoon. Pick: Lions, 24-17
▶ Richard Silva: The Lions haven’t won four consecutive games at Lambeau Field since the 1950s. That’s not to say it’s impossible, but more to illustrate how impressive it’ll be if they figure out a way to get it done Sunday. To me, it starts up front, on both sides. With Kenny Clark now residing in Dallas and a couple of relatively inexperienced defensive tackles expected to see a bump up in snaps, running the ball behind a new-look offensive line will be crucial. Much of the talk centers around Detroit’s shuffled unit along the interior — rightfully so, as Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge have a combined two starts. But the Packers underwent their own revamping at offensive line, signing Aaron Banks to play left guard and sliding Elgton Jenkins to center to play a position he hasn’t started multiple games at since 2020. Which unit gels better first? That’ll be the key. Pick: Lions, 24-23
▶ John Niyo: Detroit isn’t going to sweep the NFC North again this season. But the Packers still have to prove they can beat this version of the Lions, who’ve won six of the last seven meetings in this series and three straight at Lambeau Field. A big key in those road wins in Green Bay? The Lions established the run and committed just one turnover in those three games, while Jordan Love & Co. coughed it up a handful of times. That’ll be the recipe again Sunday, as the Lions take advantage of Kenny Clark’s absence, get some chunk plays from Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and Kerby Joseph picks up where he left off last season with a key interception. Pick: Lions, 27-24
▶ Bob Wojnowski: A fascinating opener. Aidan Hutchinson is back for the Lions and Micah Parsons has arrived for the Packers, and the elite pass-rushers can change a game. By all accounts, Hutchinson is fully recovered from a broken leg, while Parsons missed training camp and is dealing with an injured back. Green Bay is counting on his presence to close the gap with the defending division champs. You might have heard, the Lions have two new coordinators and two new starting offensive linemen, and the adjustment won’t be seamless. But having a savvy, experienced quarterback in Jared Goff, with all his weapons back, still makes the Lions the favorites in the North, despite what the oddsmakers say. Jordan Love broke a thumb in the preseason and battled numerous injuries last season. If he’s not all the way back, neither is the Pack. The Lions will dent Green Bay’s revamped run defense with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery and win for the fourth straight time at Lambeau. Pick: Lions, 30-23
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