Sunday open thread: Are you expecting a shootout or a defensive struggle?

January 1, 2012. On that date, the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers would combine for 971 yards of offense and 86 points. We don’t need to go into details of who won that game or who got a ridiculously unearned contract in the aftermath, but that game still marks one of the most remarkable shootouts between the two teams.

With both the Packers and Lions defenses entering this Week 3 matchup significantly shorthanded, it seems like this game may be lined up for more offensive fireworks. Aaron Rodgers may be in the midst of a rare slump, but Matthew Stafford is playing at a very high level.

But there’s one factor that may keep this game much lower than expected. As of Saturday night, the weather forecast for the game is predicting showers and thunderstorms during the game.

So today’s Question of the Day is:

What are you expecting for this game, a shootout or a defensive struggle?

My answer: Although I predicted a shootout score of 34-20, I’m starting to feel like this game may be lower-scoring than initially expected. Some of that has to do with the weather, but some of it has to do with the history of these two teams. Almost every year, we seem to expect a shootout, but in truth, both teams have scored 20+ points in just two games out of the past six between these two franchises. The over/under is currently set around 48. If I were a gambling man—and I am definitely not because football is random and stupid—I’d probably take the under.

Your turn.