Preview: Lions vs. Packers · prediction, injury report, analysis

The Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers in Week 7 of the NFL season on Sunday, October 25, at Ford Field, with kickoff at 4.25pm ET.

Detroit are 3-2 and sit fourth in the NFC North after their bye week, while Green Bay are 4-2 and third in the division.

Match preview

The Lions are 3-2 and beat the Cardinals 45-21 in Week 5, their last game before the bye. Before that, they lost 32-26 at Carolina and beat the Jets 31-24 at home.

Detroit average 32.8 points per game, with 164 through five contests. The defense is the concern, allowing 29.6 per game and 148 in total.

At Ford Field the Lions are 2-0, with wins of 31-30 over the Saints and 31-24 over the Jets. Both were settled by one touchdown or less. On the road they are 1-2, with defeats at Buffalo (41-31) and Carolina.

Green Bay are 4-2 and arrive on a three-game winning streak. They beat Dallas 23-13 in Week 6 and Chicago 31-7 in Week 5, both at home, and won 17-14 at Tampa Bay before that.

The Packers score 21.2 points per game, with 127 across six games, and allow 20.8, with 125 in total. Their one recent slip was a 35-14 home loss to Atlanta in Week 3.

On the road Green Bay are 2-1. Their wins at the Jets (20-17) and Tampa Bay (17-14) were both decided by three points or fewer. They are also 2-1 at home.

The Packers have had the better of the recent series. They won both meetings in 2025, 27-13 in Week 1 and 31-24 on November 27. Detroit took both in 2024, 24-14 and 34-31. Green Bay have won three of the last five and lead the all-time regular-season series 106-78-7.

The divisional angle matters. Detroit open their NFC North schedule at 0-0, while Green Bay are 1-1 against division opponents. The Lions are still trying to climb out of last place in the division.

FOX has this as its featured game in the late Sunday window, with Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady on the call.

Injury report

Detroit come out of the bye in good shape. Safety Brian Branch (Achilles) and center Cade Mays (wrist) have come off the reserve lists and are listed as questionable. Both were full participants on Friday and are expected to play. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (hamstring) also finished the week with a full practice.

Isiah Pacheco, Tom Kennedy (MCL, out for the season), Ben Bartch and Devin White remain on injured reserve. Kerby Joseph (knee) is still on the PUP list, with a return expected in Week 8.

Green Bay have ruled out linebacker Zaire Franklin (shin), who was hurt in Thursday's practice. Isaiah McDuffie and Ty'Ron Hopper are expected to start. Guard Aaron Banks (knee), receiver Bo Melton (back), cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (hamstring) and defensive tackle Jordon Riley (Achilles) are questionable. Riley is on PUP and would need to be activated.

Quarterback Jordan Love (back) moved to full practice on Thursday and is not on the final report. Micah Parsons (knee) remains on PUP, with a return expected in Week 8.