In a rematch of last year’s divisional round match-up, the NFC North champion Green Bay Packers will host the wild card San Francisco 49ers in Lambeau Field.
The Niners prevailed in last year’s playoff meeting and again earlier this season, but with the Lambeau faithful and a healthy Aaron Rodgers, the Packers are preparing for an upset.
NFL Football Betting Preview: 49ers vs. Packers
Game Details:
When: Sunday, January 5, 2014, 4:40 PM ET [sc:NFL240banner ]
Odds:
*As of December 31
Money: 49ers (-145) vs Packers (+125)
Spread: 49ers (-3) vs Packers (+3)
Totals: 48.0
Betting on the San Francisco 49ers:
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Despite being the wild card, the 49ers are rightly slated as favorites on the road against the Packers. San Francisco has a superior 12-4 SU record and their six-game winning streak is the longest current streak in the NFL.
More importantly, the Niners have been incredible on the road this season. After getting embarrassed 29-3 at Seattle in Week 2, they have gone 6-1 SU (6-0-1 ATS) in their last 7 games away from Candlestick Park.
San Francisco may be just 4-13 SU in its last 17 games against Green Bay, but it’s 3-0 SU in the last three meetings. Aside from last year’s playoff demolition of the Packers, led by the read-option and Colin Kaepernick’s record-breaking 181 rushing yards, the 49ers have also won the last two season openers against the Packers.
This year’s 34-28 victory in Week 1 also served as both Kaepernick’s and receiver Anquan Boldin’s best games of the year; Kaep completed 69% of his passes for 3 TDs and 412 yards, 202 of which went to Boldin.
The two are also coming off their second-best performances last week against the very tough Arizona Cardinals defense. Kaep had 310 yards and 2 TDs while Boldin had 149 yards, his first 100+ yard game since that Week 1 explosion.
Bet now on the San Francisco 49ers.
Betting on the Green Bay Packers:
The Packers’ chances of retaining their NFC North crown looked bleak once Aaron Rodgers went down with a collarbone injury against the Bears in November. But with the Lions and Bears faltering, Green Bay had the chance to win the division at Chicago in Week 17, just in time for Rodgers’ return.
Rodgers more than delivered in his much-anticipated return with 318 yards and 2 TDs, including the clutch 4th down throw to Randall Cobb – who also came back from a long injury layoff – in the final minute to give the Packers the lead.
Cobb’s return now gives Rodgers another key receiving target alongside Jordy Nelson, who had season-highs in catches (10) and yards (161) against the Bears. The Packers rushing attack was also on point with its third straight 150+ yard game.
Green Bay neutralized the high-powered Niners running game in their Week 1 meeting, but the run defense has struggled for the last third of the season as it has allowed 120+ yards rushing in five of the last six games. And with the winter weather coming into play, the running game could play a pivotal part in this game.
The Niners may have had the Packers’ number recently, but Green Bay is still 8-1 SU in its last 9 games against San Francisco in fabled Lambeau Field.
Bet now on the Green Bay Packers.
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