It wasn’t long ago the idea of the Detroit Lions entering Lambeau Field as betting favorites would’ve seemed like fantasy. But in 2025, it’s reality.
With the full NFL schedule now released, sportsbooks are already setting the tone—and ESPN BET has the Lions as 1-point favorites for their Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. That game, set for Sunday, Sept. 7 at 4:25 p.m. ET, will mark Detroit’s fourth straight season opener on the road, and once again, they’ll be under the national spotlight.
Let that sink in: Detroit is a road favorite. In Green Bay. Against a playoff team. That’s how much respect Dan Campbell’s squad has earned.
After a 15-2 season and back-to-back NFC North titles, the Lions bring back their core weapons—Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and a defense led by rising star Brian Branch. Detroit has also won its last three games at Lambeau. This isn’t a fluke. This is a team that expects to win.
Sure, the Packers aren’t pushovers. Jordan Love handed Detroit one of its only two losses last season and showed flashes of serious playmaking ability. Green Bay is still a tough place to play, and this game could be a major early factor in the NFC North race.
Matchups to watch? Amon-Ra St. Brown will be looking to bounce back after two quiet outings against Green Bay last year. Rookie Christian Mahogany will likely make his NFL debut on the offensive line against a formidable Packers front. And of course, Goff and the “cold weather narrative” always pop up when he’s outdoors.
The line might be close, but the message is clear: the Lions are no longer underdogs. They’re contenders—and now they’ve got to back it up.
Lions Open as Road Favorites in Lambeau Showdown vs. Packers
