The first Sunday of the NFL season has finally arrived. Thirteen games will be taking place across the day with plenty of opportunities on the field and in the bet slips. One of the most intriguing matchups is the NFC North battle between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
Detroit is looking to build off its 15-2 record last year. Injuries took a toll on the roster as the season progressed, and the Commanders knocked the Lions out of the playoffs. The Lions lost both coordinators to head coaching jobs, but kept most of their same core in place.
Green Bay has grown into a trendy pick to be a dark-horse Super Bowl threat. The Packers went 11-6 last season, but the Eagles defeated them in the opening round of the postseason. Green Bay further catapulted itself into the contending conversation by making a blockbuster trade to add Micah Parsons just days before the season.
The Packers enter the Week 1 matchup as 2.5-point favorites and -148 on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. Detroit holds +124 odds of getting the outright victory with the game total set at 46.5.
There are plenty of ways to get involved in the action beyond just backing a side. This article will look at my three favorite prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for the season-opening matchup between these NFC North foes.
Lions vs. Packers Best Prop Bets
David Montgomery Under 40.5 Rushing Yards (-114)
The Detroit Lions ranked third in the NFL last season in rushing at 149.4 yards per game. Both David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs played a significant role in this, combining for 2,187 yards on the ground. But it became increasingly clear as the season progressed that Gibbs was the more talented RB, and the level of opportunity in the backfield began to reflect this. After averaging 15 carries per game across the first five games, Montgomery was limited to nine or fewer carries in four of his nine final games played. He also missed three games due to injury, during which Gibbs ran for 365 yards and five touchdowns and added 122 receiving yards and an additional touchdown through the air.
On top of this, Green Bay possesses a difficult defense that will provide a challenge. It finished last season ranked sixth in opponents’ points allowed and fifth in yards conceded. The Packers ranked seventh in rushing yards allowed and third in rushing yards per attempt. The loss of Kenny Clark will make a bit of a difference, but Parsons is set to be available and will be hungry to make his impact felt on the defensive line.
Montgomery will still be involved in the offense to an extent, but this year feels like the season Gibbs takes full control of the top running back role. Even while they were fully splitting carries last year, Montgomery was held to under 40.5 rushing yards in seven of the 14 games he played. It will be interesting to see how the new offensive coordinator, John Morton, sees the backfield split. But count on Gibbs getting more opportunities and for Montgomery to mostly make his impact felt in short-yardage situations..
Jahmyr Gibbs Anytime Touchdown (-115)
On the other side of the running back conversation, I am all over the -115 odds of Gibbs recording an anytime touchdown. The Alabama product was tied with Derrick Henry and James Cook for the most rushing touchdowns with 16 last year. Gibbs also had the most combined rushing and receiving touchdowns with 20 on the season. Overall, he reached the end zone in 13 of 17 games.
This comes after a rookie season in which Gibbs tallied 10 rushing touchdowns and 11 scores overall. While the Green Bay defense is stout, someone has to be the one to score if Detroit is to put points on the board. Gibbs tallied a touchdown in both games against the Packers last year.
Getting -115 odds for something he has hit at such a high rate last season is great value. Montgomery will still receive some carries, but it has become clear that Gibbs is ready to be the lead back in Detroit’s offense. Look for the 23-year-old to further cement this by tallying a touchdown in the 2025 season opener.
Matthew Golden to Record 60+ Receiving Yards (+133)
The Green Bay Packers selected Matthew Golden with the 23rd pick in the NFL Draft after he tallied 987 yards and nine touchdowns last season at Texas. Green Bay has a strong overall pass-catching group, but desperately needed a clear top WR1 last year. Players like Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks each have their individual strengths. But none were able to step up as the true WR1 last season, with Reed leading the team with 857 yards.
Golden’s path to claiming the lead role got much clearer due to injuries. Watson will begin the season on the PUP list as he recovers from a torn ACL, Reed has a foot injury, Wicks has a calf problem, and Savion Williams has a hamstring injury. All three are listed as questionable for the opening week matchup. Even Doubs is battling a back injury, although he is expected to be available.
Detroit leaned on a bend-but-don’t-break style of defense last year that ranked seventh in points allowed but 20th in yards allowed. They were second in passing touchdowns conceded but 30th in passing yards given up. Golden has the talent to step up and be the Packers’ No. 1 wide receiver, and he won’t get a clearer opportunity than right now. With Jordan Love poised to take the next step in his development and injuries a real factor, look for the rookie to get his NFL career started on the right foot. Golden’s standard wide receiver line is set at 50.5 for the matchup, but I am pushing the number a bit larger for a plus-money payout.
