Smart guys: Who we're picking to win Sunday's game

Pete Dougherty (2-0)

Packers 38, Lions 34

The Lions have offensive playmaking talent galore and as good a front four as there is in the NFL if Ziggy Ansah (questionable, knee) plays. But the Lions' secondary is an injury disaster, and Aaron Rodgers usually plays well indoors. So the guess here is that's the difference, and the Packers win a shootout.

Weston Hodkiewicz (2-0)

Lions 34, Packers 31

There's pressure on the Packers' defense and the Lions' offense to get off to a fast start Sunday, so something has to give. On paper, Detroit's offense has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL, but which version will show up at Ford Field? The Packers' reconfigured defense hasn't pieced it all together, and even at its best, struggles to solve Calvin Johnson. Either way, points will be scored. A win likely comes down to whether the Packers can force Matthew Stafford into a turnover or two.

Ryan Wood (2-0)

Packers 34, Lions 31

Theoretically, Detroit should win this game. It has one of the NFC's most talented rosters, and is playing inside its friendly confines against a team it beat by 30 points in their last meeting. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers' absence in Detroit last Thanksgiving didn't have much to do with the defense giving up 40 points. Yet, the Packers will prevail Sunday, for one reason: turnovers. The Packers must force turnovers to beat the Lions at Ford Field, and turnovers are precisely what the Lions give up at home. Of the Lions' 34 turnovers last fall, 24 came at home. Detroit beat the New York Giants at home Sept. 8 without a turnover. The last time that happened: Christmas Eve 2011. At some point Sunday, Detroit will have a costly turnover.

Robert Zizzo (2-0)

Lions 28, Packers 27

Detroit has a better front seven than Green Bay and will give quarterback Aaron Rodgers just enough pressure to prevent him from torching a depleted secondary. Since this game is at Ford Field and Jim Caldwell has preached discipline to a team known for beating itself, I give the Lions the slightest of edges.