The Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots have looked like the cream of the crop in their respective conferences over the last couple of months and could very well be this year’s Super Bowl matchup when it’s all said and done.
The two teams have gone a combined 16-2 since Week 3 and have been lighting up opposing defenses with their outstanding passing attacks led by quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. The two iconic No. 12’s are set to meet for the very first (but maybe not the last) time this season.
Which juggernaut has the edge in this highly-anticipated matchup? Find out below as we preview this potential Super Bowl showdown. For more in-depth analysis, check out our preview of the Chiefs vs. Broncos.
[sc:Football ]New England Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay
When: Sunday, November 30, 4:25 PM ET
Line: New England Patriots (+3) at Green Bay Packers (-3); total 59.0 – see all NFL lines
Betting on the New England Patriots
Not even the toughest defense in the NFL could halt the Patriots’ march toward a seventh straight win as they easily disposed of the Detroit Lions, 34-9, in Foxboro. Instead, it was the Pats’ defense that suffocated the Lions, keeping them from the end zone for the second straight week. New England improved to 9-2, the best record in the AFC.
[sc:NFL240banner ]After gashing the Colts for 246 yards on the ground last week, Bill Belichick didn’t even play breakout star Jonas Gray one snap against the Lions because of his tardiness in practice. Instead, recently re-signed LaGarrette Blount stepped up with 78 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Tom Brady returned to being the center of the Pats’ offense, and he responded by completing close to 72 percent of his passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns, both to tight end Tim Wright.
At this point, it would be pretty pointless to determine what Belichick has planned on offense, but whatever it is, it’ll probably be effective. The Pats are averaging close to 40 points per game over their seven-game winning streak, and have taken over the lead in the overall season scoring average at 32.5 PPG.
Against the Packers and their 29th-ranked rushing defense (139.2 yards allowed per game) though, a return to the power running attack with Gray (should he escape Belichick’s dog house by then) and/or Blount could be back in the cards.
But by far the most interesting matchup will be the Pats’ suffocating secondary against the Packers’ army of receivers. Shut down corner Darrelle Revis, in particular, has been terrific in the last two games, taking the Colts’ and Lions’ secondary receivers in single-coverage while the top receivers got the safety help.
Whomever Revis’ next assignment is – whether it be Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb – could be in for a long day in Revis Island.
The Pats have won 14 consecutive games against the NFC North since 2002.
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Betting on the Green Bay Packers
After putting up consecutive 50-plus point games against the Bears and Eagles, the Packers experienced that much-anticipated regression to the mean as they managed to just squeak by the Vikings, 24-21, in Minnesota. Aaron Rodgers threw for just 209 yards, the lowest he’s managed since his last meeting with the Vikings in early October.
However, Rodgers didn’t need to be the superhuman force that threw nine touchdowns in the previous two weeks, mainly because he could lean on his running game to carry the offense. Eddie Lacy, who was actually playing sick against Vikings, finally had his breakout game with 25 carries for 125 rushing yards (both new season-highs) with two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving).
Running the ball could be key for the Packers if Rodgers struggles to move the ball against New England’s tough secondary. But then again, no one has yet been able to stop Rodgers at Lambeau, where he has been near-flawless this season with 18 touchdowns, no interceptions, 9.81 yards per attempt and a 138.1 passer rating.
By extension, the Packers have been similarly out-of-this-world great at home, where they’re scoring close to 44 points per game while giving up just 17 points per game. They’re also a perfect 5-0 straight-up and undefeated (4-0-1) against the spread, while the total has gone over in all five games.
In games between two great teams, a single turnover or special teams play could be all it takes to swing it either way. No team in the NFL has capitalized more on those types of plays than the Packers, especially at home. Green Bay has forced 11 turnovers and has scored five defensive/special teams touchdowns in five games at Lambeau this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Rodgers and the Packers break through the Pats’ defense as they defend their homefield and cover at Lambeau.
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