The Detroit Lions are carrying atleast a modicum of confidence in their defense heading into their first NFC North matchup of the season, thanks to a better performance last week (against the Arizona Cardinals, but still …) and the return of All-Pro safety Brian Branch to the secondary.
Still, this matchup could come down to which Jordan Love shows up at Ford Field on Sunday, Oct. 25 (4:25 p.m., Fox). The Packers QB hasn’t thrown an interception vs. the Lions in his past three starts, dating back to a 2024 start in which he was just about as bad as a QB can be and still throw the ball nearly 40 times: 23-for-39 for 273 yards, no TDs and an interception, plus three fumbles (though he recovered two of those). In the three games since against the Lions:
46-for-72 (63.9%) for 628 yards, 7 TDs and no picks.
So, which Love will be taking the snaps on Sunday? Six Free Press sports writers have some thoughts on that, and whether the Lions will open their NFC North campaign at 1-0 against division foes.
Dave Birkett
The NFC North is quite the division, and I think it's splitting hairs as to the best team. The Lions should have a better idea where they stand after next weekend, when they get their first division games in the books.
The Packers have an explosive offense and are playing well on defense, but they're down a couple playmakers on defense and I don't think problems on the offensive line are fixed. This one won't be easy, but I think Amon-Ra St. Brown has a big game and Brian Branch helps the secondary enough to get the Lions another win. The pick: Lions 28, Packers 24.
Carlos Monarrez
Here comes the cat-and-mouse game between zero-interception Jared Goff and the Packers’ interception kings, led by Xavier McKinney. The Lions should have a slight advantage at home with key players expected back, but the Packers are on a roll and have more quality wins under their belt. The pick: Packers 31, Lions 27.
Christian Romo
The Lions secondary inspired optimism in Detroit's win over Arizona, but Jordan Love will bring those expectations down again with at least two deep completions to silence the Ford Field crowd. And while Detroit's offense will keep up, Goff's streak of turnover-free football will come to an end, allowing the Packers to pull away with an extra possession in the fourth quarter and make a case for NFC North supremacy. The pick: Packers 31, Lions 27.
Rainer Sabin
Last season, the Packers swept the Lions, as Jordan Love threw six touchdown passes and no interceptions in Green Bay’s two victories. Love was a thorn in the side of a Lions defense that never sacked him in 2025. But this Lions team is more equipped to crash his pocket. Detroit leads the NFL in sacks and averages more quarterback hits per game than any other team. The Lions get to Love on Sunday and win, in part, because they do. The pick: Lions 27, Packers 24.
Jeff Seidel
One memory keeps going through my mind: How Green Bay QB Jordan Love ripped apart the Chicago Bears defense two weeks ago. So, now he's going up against a weak Lions D? Even though Brian Branch will give the Lions defense a huge lift, it remains to be seen how much he will play. Or if he’ll be rusty, which seems likely. The Lions will try to outscore the Packers – get ready for a huge dose of Gamblin’ Dan – but it won’t be enough. The pick: Packers 35, Lions 31.
Shawn Windsor
The Lions lost twice to Green Bay last season, but revenge isn't why they'll end that mini-streak against the Packers at Ford Field. Talent is, specifically on the offensive line, where the Lions struggled in the season opener a year ago at Lambeau Field. Actually, that's being too kind; the line was outright bullied. This won't happen Sunday, and the Lions stay in the division race. The pick: Lions 29, Packers 27.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions vs Packers predictions, picks for NFL Week 7
