The Green Bay Packers (7-2) host the Carolina Panthers (5-3) at Lambeau Field on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Odds makers tabbed the Packers as six point favorites, but that number has already dropped to five at many sportsbooks.
Wagering favors the Panthers who are taking 66% of the action. The total opened at 48, but early betting on the over has dropped it to 47.5
Packers were bad last week
Week nine of the NFL season saw Aaron Rodgers and company travel to play the Los Angeles Chargers. They did not fare well and were held scoreless in the first half before ultimately losing 26-11 in a game where they were four point favorites. This weeks game should tell us if that was an aberration or a sign of a deteriorating football team.
Green Bay was able to produce a very meager 186 yards of total offense. The Pack will be eager to get back on track on the offensive side of the ball and they’re playing a team that will give them an above average chance to do so. Carolina ranks 21st in the NFL in points allowed at 25.5 PPG.
Panthers looking for two in a row
Carolina ran into a buzz saw in week eight when forced to play the San Francisco 49ers who ultimately beat them 51-13. After such a stinging loss they got just what the doctor ordered, which was a game against the hapless Tennessee Titans. The Tannehill-led Titans were no match for Carolina who ultimately won 30-20.
The Packers aren’t quite as good as the 49ers, but they’re certainly not as bad as the Titans. This game will be a good challenge for a Carolina team that has done a lot of things right this season. A victory would go a long way toward keeping them in the playoff hunt.
Christian McCaffrey poised for another big game
Carolina RB Christian McCaffrey has been nothing short of incredible in 2019. He has scored in every game except one this year for a total of 10 rushing and three receiving TDs. McCaffrey has so many ways to beat his opponent and through eight games this year only Tampa Bay has slowed him down.
Another big game could be on the horizon for the young superstar as he faces a Packers defense that gives 127.7 ypg on the ground, 24th best in the NFL. Green Bay doesn’t have much of a goal line defense as indicated by the fact that they are tied for third in rushing TDs allowed at 10.
Packers is battle tested
Despite a relatively inexplicable performance last week, Green Bay is a battle tested team. They have wins over division leaders Kansas City and Dallas as well as wins against 6-3 divisional rival Minnesota. They’re especially fierce at home.