NFL: Rodgers absence may prove pivotal for Packers against Detroit

NFL expert Tom Selwyn (@Tom_Selwyn) shares his expert opinion on the best bet available from Monday Night Football in Green Bay.

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers | Tuesday 7th November 2017, 01:30 | Sky Sports

There has been far too many season-ending injuries this season and none bigger than to Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. With him gone, Green Bay’s play-off hopes went too, in my opinion.

Brett Hundley is the backup QB and he’s looked as good as you might expect, throwing for just 244 yards, 1 TD and 4 INTs in the two games he’s played. Indeed, after only one official start to be fair to him, owns the lowest yards per-attempt, passing yards and passer rating this season.

The Lions themselves aren’t looking too great right now, having lost three straight, but I felt they played well enough to win last week against one of the league’s better teams in the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Latest Podcast: Gambla Podcast 174 - WeLoveBetting Weekend Preview

LISTEN NOW

Their woes stemmed from being unable to convert in the red-zone, failing to score a TD in every single drive against Pittsburgh (they’re 45% on the season). I think this changes this week as Green Bay ranks 30th in red-zone defence, giving up a TD 73% of the time.

Detroit can snap losing streak

Without Rodgers, Green Bay is a completely different team and until he shows otherwise, I can’t back Hundley to out-duel a seasoned veteran like Lions QB Matthew Stafford so I’ll be taking Detroit -2 at 99/100 (Marathon).

I was impressed with how Detroit’s defence bounced back after a bad effort against New Orleans, holding a potent Pittsburgh offense to just 20 points.

If you’re able to contain Steelers RB Le’Veon to 76 yards while you’re also having to worry about a QB like Ben Roethlisberger throwing to the league’s best WR Antonio Brown then I’d say you played pretty well.

Needless to say Hundley is not Roethlisberger (even this year’s lesser iteration).

With a limited passer in Hundley going against an improving Lions defence, I think that Matthew Stafford should be able to turn around Detroit’s fortunes and get them back into the win column.