Styles make fights, and this NFC North matchup is a perfect example of that. The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions have different approaches on offense, but both have the potential to be explosive. On Sunday, at Ford Field, they face off in what’s inevitably a hugely impactful game in a competitive division.

So, our NFC North beat writers share their predictions for the rivalry game.

Lions can go big on offense

Mike Payton, A to Z Sports Detroit: I think this game has shootout written all over it. On the Packers’ side of things, their offense is seemingly built to attack the Lions’ biggest weaknesses. They can get the ball out fast, but they can also attack downfield. Carolina beat the Lions up with this method just a few weeks ago; I don’t know if the Lions have a fix for it in such a short time.

On the Lions’ side, their offense has been one of the top units in the league all season, and while the Packers performed a little better on defense in the past couple of weeks, I think the Lions have a secret weapon in Drew Petzing. A guy well equipped to understand what Packers DC Jonathan Gannon wants to do.

At the end of the day, I have to go with the home team. I think the Lions offense performs well, and their defense makes just enough stops to get it done. 

Lions 35, Packers 31

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Packers’ defense deserves more love

Wendell Ferreira, A to Z Sports Green Bay: The Packers have been really good on defense, despite what the Atlanta Falcons game in Week 3 would indicate. They held the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys to a combined 20 points over the past two weeks, and are fourth by DVOA, which is scheduled-adjusted. While Petzing understands Gannon’s defense, the opposite is true as well.

Meanwhile, the Packers’ offense has been fairly explosive but has failed to be consistent. And that’s mostly because they’re trying to establish a viable running game. The run block has been mostly fine, and the running backs are the big reason for the bad results. Now, Josh Jacobs is getting back, which could be massive for how Matt LaFleur wants to build his offensive identity.

Looking at the four offensive and defensive units on the field, the Lions’ defense is the worst (32nd by EPA/play, 28th by success rate). So that’s where the game can be decided.

Packers 27, Lions 24

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Lions’ defense is a huge reason for concern

Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Minnesota: This game boils down to which unit you trust the least. Both the Packers and Lions have shown that they can put up points in droves when they need to, with some sporadic play by their defenses.

Simply put: I have as much trust in the defense for the Lions as I have in my frenchie, Odie, to not pee in the house (none). I think this game will be close because the Lions ‘ offense can put up points, but they struggle to stop a tumbleweed.

Packers 27, Lions 24

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Jordan Love and the passing offense can decide it for the Packers

Kole Noble, A to Z Sports Chicago: The Green Bay Packers have been absolutely rolling the last few weeks and I’m really impressed with some of the things I’ve seen from Jordan Love now that he has a stronger group upfront. He’s playing with a lot more confidence while Matthew Golden and Christian Watson are developing into one of the best WR duos in the league. This is an offense that is now capable of scoring points on any defense, and they happen to be going up against one of the worst secondaries in the league this weekend.

Detroit’s offense should be able to keep pace early but this is going to be the final warning flag for the Lions if the Packers manage to run away with this. If Detroit’s defense gives up another 30+ points and the Packers win on Sunday, serious changes will have to be made if this Lions team wants to contend for the NFC North title.

Packers 38, Lions 21