Shawn (4-4, 2-5-1 ATS): I am 4-4, having skipped one week, and the Green Bay Packers are 4-5. It is no coincidence. I have picked the Packers every week so far. You can cry “homer!” all you want, but the Packers were favored in every one of those games but two.
The bettors are wising up though. The Packers are 3-point dogs on the road to the Washington Scalps. It should be more.
What a difference a year makes. Last season, the NFC East was the worst division in the NFC. The Redskins won the division by going 9-7 and got themselves a home game in the playoffs. As it turns out, the Redskins’ mediocrity was the salve the Packers needed to overcome their own mediocrity. The Packers briefly woke up and won the game.
This season the NFC East is the best division in the NFC. If the playoffs started this week, the NFC East would get three teams in, including the 5-3-1 Redskins. The Packers would be out.
We’ve seen this act before. The Redskins enter the game with the fourth-ranked offense in the NFL. The Packers’ defense in the last three weeks has been DOA. So, once again, the Packers’ offense may be asked to outscore their opponent.
Maybe Aaron Rodgers will reclaim some of the magic he worked here in the playoffs last season. Maybe the return of Clay Matthews will allow the defense to rediscover themselves. Maybe realizing their backs are against the wall will ignite the Packers.
I wouldn’t bet on it. The Packers’ compass is pointing down. Whether they are in disarray, don’t give a shit, or just aren’t any good, it call comes out to the same result. If the Packers don’t give up 21 points in the first quarter again, they might stay in the game, but in the end, their own inconsistencies will kill them.
In the end, the Redskins are better than they were last season. The Packers are worse.
Take the Packers on the road? Hahaha… That’s a good one.
Redskins 31, Packers 24
Monty (4-5, 1-6-2 ATS): This is the week I finally wise up and don’t pick the Green Bay Packers.
I do think the Packers have a shot in this game, primarily because they went on the road in the playoffs last year and beat this same team. However, as Shawn pointed out, the Redskins are a better team and the Packers a worse one than a year ago.
Throw in the fact that these Packers are now in complete disarray and I see no reason anyone should be betting on them.
The Packers’ defense has been exposed. They’ll be exposed again by Washington. The coaching, and as an extension, the offense is garbage. That’s not going to correct itself at this point.
I will pull for the Packers until the bitter end. However, that doesn’t mean this team isn’t a total embarrassment to the great state of Wisconsin.
They are and will likely remain so until some changes are made.
Redskins 34, Packers 17