Packers may suffer rare Lambeau blow

NFC North Sky Sports Action, 1.30am Monday night

Followers of head-to-head records won’t spend too long looking at this fixture – Green Bay have won 24 of their last 25 home games against Detroit.

But the Packers are underdogs at Lambeau Field against a Lions team with a losing record – and bookmakers look to have made the right choice.

Green Bay have been able to call on elite quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers for the past two decades but with Rodgers out for the season due to a broken collarbone they are relying on the green Brett Hundley, who has yet to show he is better than mediocre.

Rodgers was injured during the defeat to Minnesota which saw the Packers score only ten points after back-to-back 35-point games.

In Hundley’s first start against New Orleans – hardly a defensive powerhouse – they managed only 17 points at Lambeau Field with Hundley passing for a pitiful 87 yards.

That has to be a worry for the Packers as unexposed quarterbacks often fare reasonably well in their first starts before opposing coordinators get a chance to assess their preferences and weaknesses.

Hundley has had more time to work with the first-team offence in practice but Detroit won’t be quaking in their boots after limiting Pittsburgh to 20 points.

The Lions have lost three in a row but QB Matthew Stafford should be hopeful of making it three road wins out of four against a patchy pass defence, and while Detroit’s running game could get nothing going last week they should be able to use a more balanced attack in Green Bay.

Hundley is also missing a key safety valve in tight end Martellus Bennett and the visitors have an ideal chance to record a rare win at the historic venue.

Recommendation
Detroit -1.5
2pts 19-20 bet365, Sky Bet

The lowdown
VenueLambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Surface Grass
Weather Cold but dry, 2C
Vegas handicap Detroit -2
Vegas points line 43.5
Key stat Green Bay have failed to cover the handicap in four of their last six games

Team news
Detroit
Offensive tackle Greg Robinson (ankle) is out and wide receiver Kenny Golladay (hamstring) is doubtful. Defensive end Ziggy Ansah and safety Don Carey (knee) are questionable.

Green Bay
Tight end Martellus Bennett (shoulder) is unlikely to play. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks (back) is also likely to miss the game, along with defensive tackle Quinton Dial (chest) and linebacker Joe Thomas (ankle). Cornerback Damarious Randall (hamstring/illness) and guard Lane Taylor (ankle) are rated questionable. Brett Hundley starts at quarterback with Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) out for the season.

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