Written by :
Published on :
The Packers and Panthers will square off in Week 9 in an NFC showdown with major playoff implications.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-1) at CAROLINA PANTHERS (7-0)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Green Bay -3, Total: 46.5
Green Bay (6-1 SU, 5-2 ATS), despite coming off a bye last week, set season lows in rushing and passing yards in a disappointing 29-10 loss to the Broncos on Sunday Night Football. Their 500 total yards allowed were the 2nd most they’ve allowed this season, surpassed only by the 548 total yards Phillip Rivers and the top-ranked Chargers offense put up in Week 6; Green Bay’s only other ATS loss this season.
Carolina (7-0 SU, 5-2 ATS) blew a 17-point 4th quarter lead and any chance to cover the spread against the Colts, but Luke Kuechly grabbed an interception in Colts territory in overtime which led to a game-winning 52 yard field goal from Graham Gano. That win also kept the Panthers one game ahead of the Packers for 1st place in the NFC playoff picture.
Injuries are of great concern for the Packers. DBs Sam Shields (Shoulder) and Quinten Rollins (Shoulder) both suffered injuries against the Broncos and didn’t return; their statuses for the Carolina game are unknown. LB Clay Matthews (Ankle) played through an injury suffered during the 2nd half, but said after the game the ankle was a legitimate problem, and his status for the Carolina game is also uncertain. As for the Packers’ surprisingly low-ranked passing game, WR Ty Montgomery (Ankle) has a yet-to-be-determined playing status for the showdown with Carolina.
Panthers’ DLs Mario Addison (Shoulder) and Dwan Edwards (Ankle) missed the Colts’ game and are questionable for this one.
The Packers’ offense managed just 3.0 yards per play against Denver’s top-ranked defense, less than half the 6.2 YPP they were averaging on the season entering the game. Aaron Rodgers’ 2.0 passing YPA were a fraction of the 7.8 YPA he’d achieved during the Packers’ 6-0 start. The Packers’ 140 total yards were the fewest recorded by the team since Week 13 of the 2013 season, a streak of 30 games, including the playoffs. All of that needs to improve dramatically this week against a Panthers defense that is just as talented as the one Green Bay faced a week ago.
The Packers’ front seven will need impact performances across the board, especially if Matthews is unable to go; Green Bay is 25th in rushing YPG allowed, with Carolina leading the league offensively in that category. Over the last three years, Green Bay is 9-5 ATS vs. teams with a winning record, and 12-4 ATS following a road game.
Carolina allowed more than 115 rushing yards for the 4th straight week after holding each of their first three opponents this season under 100. The Panthers are 3rd in the league in interceptions, but will need their front seven (t-21st in sacks) to get pressure on Rodgers, who’s thrown just two interceptions this season (2nd best in the league).
QB Cam Newton is 21-14 ATS in home games since entering the league. The Panthers are 4-0 ATS this season when they’re exactly a three-point favorite, and are now 1-2 ATS in all other games.
