Shawn (5-4, 3-5-1 ATS): Last week I finally jumped off the Green Bay Packers’ bandwagon and made some rare money as a result.
This week maybe I’ll give in to insanity just one last time.
The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t lost at home yet this season. The Packers are imploding right before our eyes and might have already given up on this season: their words say no, their actions say yes.
But to whip out one of my favorites from my man Admiral David Farragut, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” I’m taking the Packers.
The Eagles have won at home mostly through defense, whose main calling card in turn has been getting to the quarterback. I think they may have mild success Monday night and that remains their best chance to win this game.
However, the Eagles offense and rookie QB Carson Wentz have been going the opposite direction at this point in the season. They are starting to stumble, and I think that gives the Packers a shot.
The Packers, as we all know, have been victimized lately not by their offense, but by their defense or lack thereof. I think the combination of Jake Ryan and Damarious Randall back, along with a weaker offense to contain, will be the cure the Packers need on defense.
The Packers’ offense will stumble at times, per usual, but they are headed in the right direction. I think with their backs literally against the wall, the Packers will get enough out of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense to win this one.
Believe it or not, I think the Packers will keep this season on life support until Seattle shows up at Lambeau Field.
Or they won’t.
Packers 23, Eagles 20
Monty (5-5, 2-6-2 ATS): Like Shawn, I wised up and picked against the Green Bay Packers last week. Like Shawn, I picked the opposition to cover last week. Like Shawn, I was actually right last week. And like Shawn, I am going to go and screw that up this week by taking the Green Bay Packers.
Let me first start off by saying this. I have zero faith in this football team. They are not a good football team. They are probably not even going to be the best football team on the field on Monday night.
So why the hell would I pick them on the road?
No, I don’t really care about Aaron Rodgers semi-guarantee that the Packers are going to win out. However, I took note of something he said when he made that comment. He mentioned that the offense is close to putting it all together and I think he’s right. We’ve seen signs of the offense possibly being able to do that lately. They need to stop the early three-and-outs, put together four solid quarters of football — not just one or two, and they need to run the damn ball.
To that latter point, recent acquisition Christine Michael is expected to make his debut tonight. The Packers would be wise to use him to control the clock and keep their beleaguered defense off the field. Will they?
Who knows with Buffoon at the helm?
To me, that’s the biggest key. Can the Packers control the clock?
If they can, they’ve got a chance.
Defensively, the return of Jake Ryan will help. What would also help is if Clay Matthews wasn’t just on the field, but would actually make some plays. Last week, Matthews had a single tackle to show for himself. He’s going to need to do much better than that tonight.
As always, the key to any success the Packers will have on defense is predicated on the pass rush. Matthews needs to get after it. If Matthews can make an impact, that should free up Nick Perry. And maybe, Mike Daniels will actually show up for a change as well.
Yes, there are a lot of ifs here. But look, the Packers have lost four in a row. They’re not going to lose out.
Now seems to me the time that streak is broken. To whip out one of my favorite quotes — even the sun shines on a dog’s ass on some days.
The Eagles are favored by three to four. We’re taking the Packers.
Packers 32, Eagles 24