Green Bay Packers (+6.5) at New York Jets

Sunday, October 31, 2010

by Aengus Moorehead

Green Bay Packers (+6.5) at New York Jets - Aaron Rodgers

Last week’s result:
Green Bay (-3.5) beats visiting Minnesota 28-24. NY Jets were idle.

Last week against the Spread:
Green Bay covers.

Analysis:
The Green Bay Packers (4-3) beat up on Brett Favre and the Vikings, dropping them 28-24 to avenge last year’s loss at Lambeau Field, while the Jets (5-1) are coming off a bye and should be well-rested for this home game. The Packers have been all over the place this year, but a win would show why many NFL betting fans picked them to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Aaron Rodgers was 21-of-34 for 287 yards, two touchdowns and two scores for the Packers and you have to remember: he has no Ryan Grant in the backfield, Jermichael Finley is gone for the year, and Donald Driver was limited because of an injury. The Packers’ explosive offense has been decimated, but Rodgers is still one of the top quarterbacks in the league, and players are stepping up: James Jones had 107 receiving yards against the Vikings.

The New York Jets are still a run-first team, coming in second in the NFL in that category, but they could end up opening up the playbook a bit more for Mark Sanchez, who isn’t turning the ball over as much this year. He has weapons in the passing game with Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller. Sanchez looks as though he could be ready to accept more responsibility, but will he get it?

The Packers forced Favre to throw three picks in the second half of their meeting, but they still gave up 402 yards of offense, including a ghastly 196 yards on the ground. Desmond Bishop returned a pick back for a score, but it wasn’t the best showing from the Green Bay defense, which ranks 18th in the league. Cornerback Charles Woodson hasn’t been the force he was last season, when he won the Defensive Player of the Year award, and linebacker Clay Matthews wasn’t a factor. The Packers are 23rd in the NFL against the run, which could spell disaster against the Jets.

You’d be surprised to know that the Jets are only 12th in the league defensively, including 22nd against the pass, and a lot of that has to do with an ailing Darrelle Revis, who has been struggling with an ailing hamstring. This has forced rookie Kyle Wilson into action, and he’s been picked on a lot. Antonio Cromartie has been excellent, but he can only cover one guy. If Revis is healthy, the Jets may have the best set of corners in the league, and it looks like he is 100% now.

The Jets say that they bye week didn't sap any of the momentum they had after winning five consecutive games going into the break. The Jets' running game figures to do quite well against Green Bay's hobbled front seven, which will make play-action a viable option. QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense certainly have the ability to answer the Jets' scores, at least for a while, but the Jets' ground-and-pound style figures to prevail. Take points and Packers.

Be a player and bet on Green Bay (+6.5) at New York at Bodog Sportsbook

Related Articles

Category

Tags

aaron rodgers - aaron rodgers - antonio cromartie - braylon edwards - charles woodson - clay matthews - darrelle revis - desmond bishop - donald driver - dustin keller

Share this page