Results: Lions fans believe Detroit’s offense needs to score at least 30 points vs. Packers

The results from our latest SB Nation Reacts Survey are in and Lions fans believe Detroit’s offense will need to put up a significant amount of points in order to win.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Detroit Lions fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

In this week’s SB Nation Reacts surveys, we asked Lions fans two questions:

1. Are you confident the Lions are headed in the right direction? (weekly poll)
2. How many points will the Lions offense need to score to beat the Packers?

After four consecutive weeks of landing at 99% confidence, the fan vote this week shows a bit of a decline.

The Lions still have an impressive 91% confidence rate in the direction of this franchise, but it’s worth pointing out this is the second-lowest percentage on the season, the only one worse was following the loss to the Bucs in Week 2.

It’s hard to say what is the reason for the decline. Some might be concerned after a close win over the Bears on Thanksgiving. Others might be worried about the Lions’ injury issues on defense. Or there may simply be Packers trolls infiltrating the vote.

Speaking of injuries, our second survey asked voters to project how many points the Lions would need to beat a surging Packers team that is coming off two victories where they scored 30 or more points. Despite the Lions’ defense only allowing an average of 16.9 points scored against on the season—and just 13.,75 over the last month—people seem convinced the injuries won’t be able to hold the Packers down.

Therefore, with the majority of Lions’ fans expecting the Packers to put up points, they have projected that the Lions will need to score between 30-34 points in order to win—with 95% of voters suggesting they will need to score at least 25 points.

Let’s take a look at some of the explanations from the comment section, lightly edited for length and clarity:

• DetroitBorn: “The Lions haven’t given up 30 points this season, so if the D can hold at all (and force Love into one or more of his many INTs), I’d say the Lions can win w/ 28-31 points, but why not roll up 40 and remove all doubt?”
• CLF: “Lions have to score early, often, and take their time doing it. This will effectively diminish the Packer’s running game… OR, at the least, it will make this an offensive battle… a shootout. (They’re) averaging 30+ points/game at home… The defense will need to ‘derail’ just enough for the offense to keep the lead and control the clock.”
• Timmerk: “My initial thought is the Lions will need to score 30+ to win this one. But if the running game eats up a lot of the clock and the defense can hold the Packers to FGs and/or get a turnover or two, a score in the twenties can win it.”
• Marvol: “This game needs to be where Ben Johnson gets a game ball.”
• Lee County Fly Dog: “If the Lions hold the Packers under 24 points, I will fly to Detroit and build a statue of Aaron Glenn outside of Ford Field. Well… maybe sketch a statue of Aaron Glenn and mail it to a local sculptor. I hope they can work with stick figure drawings. One thing I want on that statue is foggy glasses with rain dripping off of them. Capture the essence.”

I’ll hold yoy to that Lee.

Additionally, SB Nation also ran a national survey asking who would cover the Lions -3.5 spread set by the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook, and the national audience continues to side with Detroit, with 74% of national fans believing the Lions win and cover.