Packers vs Patriots NFL Week 9 Lines & Prediction

Packers vs Patriots NFL Week 9 Lines & Prediction

Written by on November 2, 2018

The New England Patriots have taken control of the AFC East thanks to a five-game winning streak that has propelled them to a 6-2 start, including a tough win in Buffalo last week on Monday Night Football. The Patriots only led by six going into the fourth quarter, until a late offensive touchdown and a pick-six provided a more comfortable margin of victory. The Green Bay Packers have slid to 3-3-1 after a 29-27 loss in Los Angeles last week to the Rams. The Packers have put up a 3-0-1 record at home, losing all three of their road games, but they hope to reverse that trend in Foxboro this Sunday night.

Packers vs Patriots NFL Week 9 Lines & Prediction

When: Sunday, November 4, 2018, 8:20pm ET Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA TV: NBC Radio: Westwood One Live Stream: NFL Live NFL Odds: New England -6.5, O/U 57.5

Why should you bet on the Packers?

Aaron Rodgers is having another terrific season despite hobbling around on that large brace on his left knee. He has thrown for 2,283 yards on the season and has posted a TD:INT ratio of 13:1. The running game has been basically nonexistent, as tailback Aaron Jones has led the way with just 274 yards. The Packers just traded away defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to Washington, so it will be interesting to see how Green Bay can slow down Tom Brady and the New England passing game. The Packers have covered the spread just once in their last five road games and just three times in their last 10 games overall. If you like Green Bay here, you think that the duel between two great quarterbacks will turn into a back-and-forth shootout affair, with the last team holding the ball likely to win the game in a late fourth-quarter drive. I don’t think Rodgers can outduel Brady on the road, but that’s a fairly big spread given Rodgers’ ability to deliver late comebacks.

Why should you put your money on the Patriots?

The Patriots were bogged down by a solid Buffalo defense last week and only had four field goals heading into the final quarter. It hasn’t helped that the New England offense has at least one turnover in each game this season. Also, the Patriots could still be missing Sony Michel, who hurt his MCL two weeks ago and missed the Buffalo game. Tests revealed no structural damage, but he was limited in practice on Thursday and could be ineffective on Sunday  night. James White has contributed out of the backfield, but Michel is a huge weapon. This could mean that the Patriots have to rely on their passing game, and with Chris Hogan, Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan down the field (and White out of the backfield), Brady still has plenty of options. The Patriots have covered the spread in nine of their last 11 games against teams that don’t have a winning record — and they’ve gone over in their last four games after a win the week before. It is worth pointing out that the Packers have covered the spread in four of the last six meetings between these two teams, but the trade of Clinton-Dix lends the notion that Green Bay is already starting to look to the future rather than pushing to compete in an NFC North that is tight, with just one game separating first place from fourth place. If you like New England, you see Brady picking apart the Packer defense.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I’ve learned never to count Aaron Rodgers out — but I’ve learned the same thing about Tom Brady. I see this game taking the form of a seesaw affair, and I think the Patriots will win on the last drive of the game. I predict a final score of New England 31, Green Bay 27 — but with the Packers covering that spread.