3 bold predictions for Packers in huge Week 9 matchup against Lions

In some ways, the Green Bay Packers are limping toward their Week 10 bye week, which can't get here soon enough. The Packers could be without a number of key players for their absolutely massive Week 9 tilt against the Detroit Lions, who are currently leading the NFC North and looking like maybe the best team in the entire NFC.

The Packers have a chance to gain some important ground against the Lions in the NFC North but they are going to have to do it despite a number of question marks. Jordan Love is hopeful to play in this game but his status remains in question. Some key defenders will not likely be available against a dangerous Lions offensive arsenal, including cornerback Jaire Alexander.

Even playing at home, this is going to be a tough game for the Packers. Even to slow down the Lions would feel like a moral victory. But how do the Packers pull off an upset on their own field with the Lions favored by three points?

Here are our top three bold predictions for the game.

Bold predictions Packers in NFC North showdown vs. Lions

1. Packers force Jared Goff to throw at least two interceptions

There was a time in which this would not have been a bold prediction at all. Jared Goff has morphed into one of the NFL's most efficient quarterbacks since being traded to the Lions back in 2021, and he's been on an absolute tear since late September.

Goff has not thrown a single interception since September 22 against the Arizona Cardinals. The man has 10 touchdown passes compared to 13 incomplete passes over the last four games. To say that he's dialed in would be the understatement of the year.

So the Packers are going to have to make him not dialed in. I am going with the bold prediction that the Packers' defense, which has been better than every other NFL team this year at forcing turnovers, will cause Goff to throw at least two picks in the (expected rainy) conditions on Sunday.

2. Edgerrin Cooper gets the defensive triple crown (1 FF, 1 sack, 1 INT)

Packers rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has been playing very well this season, especially in the team's Week 8 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In that game against Jacksonville, Cooper racked up nine total tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed, earning the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award.

I think he's going to take it one step further this week and achieve the NFL defensive version of the triple crown (at least in my mind): A forced fumble, a sack, and an interception all in the same game. Heck, you know what? I'm feeling greedy about this one. Let's add a bonus bold prediction to this post for free:

Edgerrin Cooper gets his first NFL defensive touchdown against the Lions on Sunday.

If it happens, you heard it here first...And it's exactly the type of game-changing play that will allow the Packers to pull off this "upset."

3. Josh Jacobs goes off for 3 total TDs

Packers running back Josh Jacobs is one of a number of players on this roster that is banged up, but he's expected to play on Sunday against the Lions. In a game where there could be rainy conditions, a Josh Jacobs legacy game is in play.

Jacobs has four total touchdowns so far this season and is coming off of his first multi-touchdown game against the Jaguars last week. With three total touchdowns over his last couple of games and all four of his TDs this season coming in the month of October, Jacobs is on a bit of a heater.

I'm predicting Jacobs will account for three touchdowns against the Lions and put forth his legacy game as a member of the Packers.

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