Checking in with Detroit Lions fans for our latest SB Nation Reacts survey: How many points will the Lions offense need to score to beat the Packers?
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.
Each week, in our SB Nation Reacts Survey, we will provide readers with a question or two specifically geared toward Detroit Lions fans, with an article exploring the results released later in the week. In this installment, we have two questions: the first being a recurring weekly question, and the next being designed for Week 14:
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?
Lions fans have been extremely supportive of their team in 2024, showing 99% confidence in them in each of the last four weeks—six times on the season—which shouldn’t be overly surprising now that the team is 11-1 with 10 straight victories, both matching franchise records. But, it’s a weekly poll, so make sure you vote again and keep that number at the maximum.
As for the second question — How many points will the Lions offense need to score to beat the Packers? — we have given fans five options to choose from:
- 19 or fewer
- 20 to 24
- 25 to 29
- 30 to 34
- 35 or more
First, let’s look at what the Packers could score to see what the Lions might need to clear. In their three games since these two teams met in Week 9 (the Packers also had a bye week) the Packers have averaged 29.33 points per game—almost three points above their season average.
Working to keep that number low will be the Lions defense, which has averaged just 13.75 points allowed in the four games since Week 9 (16.9 allowed on the season, second best in the NFL). In fact, the most they’ve allowed in that span was 23 points to the Texans. Injuries on defense will play a factor for the Lions, but it’s worth noting that the last time they played the Packers, they held them to 14 points. In that game, they were missing Josh Paschal, and Brian Branch was ejected early.
Now that you’ve got a number in mind that the Packers might score, how many will the Lions need to score to beat it?
The Lions currently lead the NFL with an average of 31.9 points scored per game, and in the four games since they played the Packers in Week 9, they averaged 31.25 points per game. Yes, the 52-point blowout against the Jaguars comes into play here, but the Lions have scored at least 23 points in each of the other three games.
Meanwhile, the Packers’ defense has averaged just 15.33 points allowed in the three games since Week 9, while also giving up 24 points to the Lions the last time they played. On the season, they average 20 points allowed, a top-10 number.
Therefore, with both teams possessing a top-10 scoring offense AND defense, which side of the ball will have the advantage, and how many points will the Lions need to score in order to win? Vote in the polls below and keep an eye out later in the week for the results.
