Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, but after getting burned last week, I’m going to back Green Bay against Carolina for my One Bet, $100 in Week 10. I just believe Green Bay is a much better team, and that they have some new level of motivation after being embarrassed by the Los Angeles Chargers last week.
Who didn’t think Green Bay was going to cover 3.5 points? More than 90 percent of the tickets written at William Hill were on the Packers. So when they were defeated outright I wasn’t the only gambler that was shocked at the outcome.
One Bet, $100
This Week’s Pick         Last Week’s Result      Season Total
Packers -5.5             Lost Green Bay          5-4, Up $90
This week, however, should be a bounce-back game for the Packers. They are back at home, where they are 3-2 straight up, as well as against the spread.
Home Advantage for Green Bay vs. Carolina
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers alluded to the fact that the team wasn’t focused last Sunday in Los Angeles.
“I just think that, you know, every time you go on a trip, we say it’s a business trip,†Rodgers said. “Our job is to go out and win games. I was basically saying all of us, we’ve gotta look at our schedule, our routine, what we did, and make sure we were getting the proper rest and taking care of ourselves the right way. Because it was such a different feeling, we just didn’t have that normal juice. I just felt like maybe we’ve got to rest more.â€
Panthers coach Ron Rivera says he isn’t sure if the Packers will rebound from that loss, but empathizes with Rodgers.
“I don’t know their team well enough, as far as their personality, to see how they’re going to react,†Rivera said. “I do like the way they’re portraying it, that it was a humbling experience, because we went through the same thing last week.â€
Green Bay will Employ Rushing Attack
We already know Rodgers can do some damage through the air, but the real difference maker on Sunday might be Green Bay’s rushing attack.
The Panthers have allowed 5.1 yards per carry, and 14 total rushing touchdowns this season. The two-pronged attack of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams should be able to move the chains.
It’s something Packers coach Matt LaFleur got away from against the Chargers. Instead of balancing his offense, he went pass heavy, with only 10 rushing attempts for 40 yards.
Part of that was due to trying to get returning wide receiver, Davante Adams, back in the mix. He had seven receptions for 41 yards in his first game back from turf toe.
LaFleur said in his Monday press conference that it was a mistake not to have more running.
“I think all of us coaches and players have to look inward and make sure we were doing the right things, and really learn from that experience so we don’t have another one of those moving forward.†LaFleur said. “There’s no doubt I was not patient enough with the game plan.â€
Weather Might Force the Run
Lambeau Field got three inches of snow on Wednesday. Game-time temperatures are expected to be in the mid-30s, with a wind that should be around 13 mph.
Passing the football might take a back seat to running, but don’t believe the hype that the cold will work in Green Bay’s advantage. Carolina safety Tre Boston said the Panthers aren’t phased by the conditions.
“A lot of guys, they’re feeling that it’s the winter, it’s cold, guys don’t want to be there,†Boston said. “I can assure you, we’re going to be the exact opposite. You have to hold yourself that way, because weather is just another ‘it,’ and you can’t let ‘it’ get in the way.
