Public bettors backing Detroit Lions over Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football
It’s been nearly 40 years since the Detroit Lions have been favored in Green Bay against the Packers’ starting quarterback, but that’s exactly the situation we’re in on Thursday night. The Lions are 2-point favorites in Green Bay and facing starting QB Jordan Love, something that hasn’t happened since 1986.
Despite that fact, public bettors are still lining up to back the Lions — an offseason public darling.
At DraftKings Sportsbook, 76% of the bets and 76% of the total dollars wagered were on the Lions -2, as of Thursday afternoon, although there was a $50,000 wager on the Packers +2. At PointsBet: A Fanatics Experience, over 80% of bets and 80% of the money was on the Lions to cover.
“Early money from the public [was] on the Lions,” Chuck Esposito, sportsbook director at Station Casinos in Las Vegas said via text. “Starting to see some money on the Packers, especially with [Christian] Watson and [Aaron] Jones probable to play.”
The story was similar on the East Coast as well.
“Pretty balanced early, but have had some Detroit money show up yesterday and today,” Thomas Gable, sportsbook director at The Borgata in New Jersey said in a text Thursday. Gable confirmed that his book had more bets on the Lions than Packers to cover as well.
The Lions are 2-1 against the spread, while the Packers are one of three teams undefeated ATS at 3-0.
Will the Lions win for the first time as a favorite in Lambeau against a Packers starting QB since 1986?