Packers Wire Staff Predictions: Week 9 vs. Lions

The Green Bay Packers (6-2) and Detroit Lions (6-1) will face off at Lambeau Field on Sunday with first place in the NFC North on the line. Can Matt LaFleur's team extend its winning streak to five games entering the bye week, or will the surging Lions send the Packers to an 0-2 start in the division?

Quarterback Jordan Love (groin) is listed as questionable, but he practiced Thursday and Friday and is leaning toward being available Sunday.

Here's how the Packers Wire staff thinks the showdown with the Lions will end in Week 9:

Zach Kruse: Packers 23, Lions 20 (4-4)

The Lions are a freight train, but the expected weather conditions in Green Bay on Sunday give the Packers – who are dealing with several serious injuries – a real chance to pull off the upset. The Lions are playing outside for the first time this season, and Jared Goff isn't nearly the same quarterback outside, which may take away from some of the ridiculous offensive efficiency the Lions have achieved this season. Still, this is a tough duel. The Lions have an elite rushing offense, and the playmakers behind them (Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch) cause turnover problems for Jordan Love, who is probably less than 100 percent. Can the Packers get a takeaway or two and win consistently at the line of scrimmage? Matt LaFleur's team has won in so many different ways this season, and I think the experience of dealing with so much adversity paid off on Sunday. In a sloppy showdown at rainy Lambeau Field, the Packers escape with a big division win before the bye.

Brandon Carwile: Lions 28, Packers 23 (6-2)

First of all, I believe the game will be close regardless of whether Jordan Love plays or not. However, this must not change the result. Detroit is one of the best teams in the NFL and has won four of its last five games against Green Bay. And while the Packers' defense has been a pleasant surprise this season, the dual backfield of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery will pose a significant challenge. It will undoubtedly be the best one-two punch Green Bay has seen this season, and Jared Goff is also playing some of the best ball of his career. Offensively, Love won't be at 100 percent when he plays. To keep up with the Lions' highest-scoring offense, Josh Jacobs would have to have a strong game, but that won't be easy given a top-five run defense. I think the Packers are good enough to beat Detroit, but they're a little too banged up on both ends to pull out a win this week.

Brennen Rupp: Lions 23, Packers 20 (7-1)

Detroit is playing like the best team in the NFC right now. Over the last four games they have averaged 43 points per game and have scored over 42 points in three of those four games. The Packers will need to limit their mistakes in this game if they want to have a chance, and after eight games there's little evidence they can do that. There are no moral victories at 1265 Lombardi Avenue, but if Jeff Hafley's team is able to slow down Detroit's offense (which I think they can), Green Bay needs to be confident that they finally have a defense that can help them win games win in December and January.