Lions Are 7-2 Straight Up and ATS After Their Bye Since 2010; Spread vs GB Down to 4.5
- The Lions travel to Green Bay to face the Packers on Monday Night Football after a Week 5 bye
- Detroit is 7-2 both straight up and against the spread in its last nine games following a by
- The Lions are 3-17 SU in their last 20 games at Lambeau Field
When people discuss the surprise teams of the NFL season, nobody outside of the Motor City appears to be putting any stock into Detroit Lions futures.
Considering the fortunes of this franchise – the Lions have never played in a Super Bowl, haven’t won an NFL title since 1957 and own one playoff victory since that 1957 championship win – perhaps there’s good cause for that lack of belief.
If you were ever going to back the Lions, though, do it this Monday (Oct. 13), when they travel to Green Bay to face the 4-1 Packers on Monday Night Football as 4.5-point underdogs.
Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | +195 | +4.5 (-110) | Over 46.5 (-110) |
| Green Bay Packers | -235 | -4.5 (-110) | Under 46.5 (-110) |
*Odds taken 10/08/19
The Lions are coming off their bye week and, in the past decade, when it comes to the first game following the bye week, Detroit runs with the big dogs of the NFL. The Lions are 7-2 both straight up and against the spread coming off their bye in their last nine tries.
Perhaps recognizing that the Lions are 3-17 SU in their last 17 visits to Lambeau, sportsbooks opened the point spread in the Lions vs Packers odds at Green Bay -6. Sharps have hammered Detroit, though, leading to the spread dropping to 4.5.
Bye Gee, Bye Golly
The Lions aren’t the NFL’s best post-bye week squad but they’re right up there.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are kings of the bye week return. They’ve gone 7-1-1 (87.5 percent) post bye week since 2010.
Watch the #Lions' top 5️⃣ plays through week 4 of the season. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/N1Nv0IYEuZ
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 8, 2019
The New Orleans Saints (8-2, 80 percent) are next, with the Lions (7-2, 77.8 percent) and Los Angeles Rams (7-2-1, 75 percent) also coming in at above 70 percent.
Since 2012, the Lions are 6-1. That’s an NFL-best .875 win percentage.
Lions Of The Post Bye Week
The Lions have won four straight both SU and ATS on the road coming off the bye week. Detroit has won two in a row both SU and ATS as a road underdog after enjoying a week off.
Detroit Lions Post Bye Week Results Since 2010
| Season | Opponent (Spread) | Outcome | Straight Up | Against The Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | at Miami Dolphins (-3) | W 32-21 | Won | Won |
| 2017 | Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) | L 15-20 | Lost | Lost |
| 2016 | Jacksonville Jaguars (-5.5) | W 19-14 | Won | Won |
| 2015 | at Green Bay Packers (+10.5) | W 18-16 | Won | Won |
| 2014 | Miami Dolphins (-3) | W 20-16 | Won | Won |
| 2013 | at Chicago Bears (-1.5) | W 21-19 | Won | Won |
| 2012 | at Philadelphia Eagles (+3.5) | W 26-23 (OT) | Won | Won |
| 2011 | at Chicago Bears (+3) | L 13-37 | Lost | Lost |
| 2010 | Washington Redskins (-3) | W 25-19 | Won | Won |
Jumping off the page here is Detroit’s 2015 verdict at Green Bay. The Lions beat the Packers 18-16 as 10.5-point road underdogs.
It was their first win at Green Bay since 1991.
Detroit Lock City
Since that 2015 victory at Lambeau Field, the Lions are 3-1 SU at Green Bay. The curse of 24 consecutive losses there is long gone.
Matthew Stafford somehow snuck this pass through four defenders 😳 pic.twitter.com/uCtCc1UYSG
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 29, 2019
Overall, Detroit has won four in a row from Green Bay. The Pack is winless against the Lions in two consecutive seasons. That hadn’t happened since 1982-83.
The Packers are riddled with key injuries as they prep for Detroit. On offense, two starters – wide receiver Davante Adams (toe) and center Corey Linsley (concussion) – are questionable. Backup running back Jamaal Williams (concussion) is also questionable.
Packers currently without:
Davante Adams
Tony Brown
Jamaal Williams
Corey Linsley
Za'Darius Smith
Robert Tonyan
Darnell Savage
BJ Goodson
Rashan Gary pic.twitter.com/kawvH3wUg2— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) October 6, 2019
Defensively, three members of Green Bay’s secondary – starting free safety and NFL DROY favorite Darnell Savage (ankle) and right cornerback Kevin King (knee) – are questionable, as is backup corner Tony Brown (hamstring).
The line has moved from its opening of Green Bay -6. No wonder. This scenario looks to be poised for a Detroit party.
Pick: Detroit Lions [+195, +4.5 (-110)]
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
