Is it too early to crown Aaron Rodgers as this season’s MVP? He’s certainly looked the part leading the Packers to the top of the NFC standings with a 10-3 record after a shaky 1-2 start.
Rodgers’ and the Packers’ impressive run may hit a speed bump though. They take to the road for an interconference showdown against a Buffalo Bills team still in the race for an AFC wild card spot in Week 15. Can Rodgers continue to keep the Packers rolling? Or will the Bills’ top-ranked defense slow down the Green Bay quarterback?
The Packers’ NFC North rivals, the Detroit Lions face off against the Minnesota Vikings in a crucial divisional showdown. Check out our preview for the game here. You can also check out our preview for a clash between top NFC teams in the Cowboys vs. Eagles.
[sc:Football ]Where: Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo
When: Sunday, December 14, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Green Bay Packers (-5) at Buffalo Bills (+5); total 50.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Green Bay Packers
Welcome to the Aaron Rodgers show. The Green Bay quarterback threw for three more touchdowns in a 43-37 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night to further strengthen his case for this year’s MVP award. The game was a milestone for Rodgers, who celebrated his 100th career start by leading the Packers to their fifth win in a row.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Rodgers has been a terror against opposing defenses throughout his 100-game old career. He ranks first in league history in touchdown passes (222), passing yards (27,520) and passer rating (107.3) at this stage of an NFL quarterback’s career. He also tops all quarterbacks in zero-interception games (58), 100-plus passer rating games (60) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.11:1) through their first century of games.
In the present season, Rodgers has an average of 8.78 yards per pass attempt, a 119 passer rating and an 11.7:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, all league-highs and MVP-worthy numbers..
The electric Green Bay quarterback has been very difficult to contain with a talented cast built around him. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson leads the league with 12 touchdown receptions this season. He also leads the NFL with 13 receiving touchdowns of 50 yards or longer over the past four seasons. Randall Cobb has also been a potent weapon in the receiving corps hauling in 10 touchdown receptions this season.
Even running back Eddie Lacy has developed as a receiving threat due to Rodgers’ excellent play. Lacy currently has 385 yards receiving and four touchdowns as compared to 257 yards in 15 games last season.
Having opposing defenses focused on stopping Rodgers has also opened up lanes for Green Bay’s lead back. Lacy has averaged 4.5 yards per carry and has seven rushing touchdowns thus far this season.
The Packers are 4-2-1 ATS against AFC competition since 2013.
Betting on the Buffalo Bills
Somewhere in Buffalo, the Bills’ top-ranked defense is smiling at the prospect of hauling Rodgers back to earth. That’s because the Bills are coming off an impressive defensive performance locking down another MVP-caliber quarterback in the Broncos’ Peyton Manning on Sunday.
Buffalo broke Manning’s streak of 51 games with at least one touchdown throw, limited him to 173 yards passing and took two interceptions courtesy of cornerbacks Corey Graham and Stephon Gilmore.
But with their focus primarily on Manning on Sunday, the Bills failed to keep Denver’s pair of undrafted running backs C.J. Anderson and Juwan Thompson in check. They racked up 121 yards and four touchdowns on the ground to lead the Broncos to a 24-17 win over Buffalo.
Running the same defensive scheme against the pass-happy Packers, with Graham and Gilmore covering Green Bay’s dynamic receivers, may limit Rodgers’ production as it did to Manning. However, it could also open up lanes in the front seven for Green Bay running back Lacy to exploit.
Buffalo will have also taken note of the Packers’ defensive collapse against Atlanta. Green Bay’s defense allowed Matt Ryan to pass for 375 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Meanwhile, Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones had a career night with 259 yards receiving and a score.
If the Packers’ defense continues to provide opponents the same openings through the air, then expect the Kyle Orton-Sammy Watkins dynamic to come into play. Orton passed for a season-high 355 yards on Sunday, while Watkins also had a big day catching seven passes for 127 yards.
Pair up the Bills’ excellent defense with the Orton-Watkins connection, and they should have a good chance at upsetting the Packers.
The Bills are 4-2 ATS as underdogs this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Rodgers brings out his championship belt celebration as he leads the Packers past Buffalo. Take Green Bay to win and cover -5. Create a betting account now and cash in on the explosive NFL action coming your way.
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