Colts
vs.
Packers
NFL Pick
11/6/16
The Colts travel to see the Packers in Week 9 of the NFL season. Indianapolis has lost two of its last three Games and sits at 3-5 in third place in the AFC South. Due to the lack of quality football in their division, the Colts are by no means out of contention, but a loss in this Game would seriously hamper their ability to contend with the likes of the Houston Texans. Green Bay has also lost two of its last three Games and is 4-3 in second place, one Game behind the Vikings in the NFC North. The Packers are favored by 7.5 and the over/under, according to the 5Dimes Sportsbook, is 54.
Andrew LUck is on pace for the best all-around statistical year of his career. He is on pace for over 4,500 yards, 32 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. T.Y. Hilton and Phillip Dorsett are both listed as “questionable” for this Game and could severely diminish LUck’s impact against Green Bay.
Frank Gore’s seemingly never-ending career continues to move along at a good pace. He is in his 12th season out of Miami and is on pace for his 9th 1,000-yard season. Gore has been a vital piece in giving LUck just a little relief to ensure that not all the pressure is constantly on the quarterback.
They’ll be going up against a defensive unit that ranks 7th overall, 2nd against the run and 16th in passing yards allowed per Game. Much of their success will likely depend on whether the receivers are available or not. LUck has been fantastic this year, but he needs his targets, like anyone, to be successful in any given Game.
Aaron Rodgers has not had the type of year many would expect from him from a yards per attempt standpoint. There have been a lot of shorter throws, but Rodgers is still on pace for over 3,900 yards, 39 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. The important thing is that he must continue to play well, if not play better, because of the fact that Eddie LAcy is on the injured reserve list and may not play again this season. It’s creating all kinds of havoc for the Packers’ rushing attack. So Rodgers must be very good for regular success.
Fortunately for Rodgers, his top three receivers — Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb — have been very reliable. Cobb is “questionable” for this Game, but each of the three are averaging over 59 receiving yards per Game, and they have combined for 13 touchdown receptions on the season.
Indianapolis ranks 29th in overall yards allowed per Game and 31st in passing yards allowed per Game. It seems to be a safe bet that Rodgers will have ample opportunity to have a big Game again against this defense.
The Green Bay defense is good enough to limit the Colts’ offensive attack. Plus, you have the possibility that either Hilton or Dorsett or both could miss this Game. The Colts are surrendering 28.3 points per Game, and we don’t see any reason for the Packers to miss that mark by much, despite missing LAcy. Packers -7 -115