Sluggish Seahawks, Hasselbeck, Look To Beat Back Pack, Rodgers
The Green Bay Packers, (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS, 4-1 O/U) have dropped three consecutive games in the BetUS Sportsbook but still look better than the floundering Seattle Seahawks, (1-3 SU, 1-3 ATS, 4-0 O/U).
The Packers lost to the Atlanta Falcons and blossoming young quarterback Matt Ryan 27-24 at home as a 3.5-point favorites in Week 5. as quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw completed 25 of 37 passes for 313 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
It was Green Bay’s defense that was its undoing, allowing Ryan to go 16-for-26 for 194 yards and two touchdowns while running back Michael Turner added 121 rushing yards on one touchdown on 26 carries.
The Seahawks were routed by the New York Giants 44-6 on the road, failing to come close to covering as 7-point underdogs in Week 5.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was limited to 11-for-21 passes for a meager 105 yards. No touchdowns and one interception while Julius Jones was held to just 61 rushing yards on 17 carries in the loss.
The Packers will try to avoid losing four straight games for the first time in three years on Sunday and certainly can’t blame their poor play on Rodgers who replaced veteran Brett Favre this season and has performed admirably in every game this season while looking very competent.
Rodgers sprained his shoulder in a 30-21 Week 4 loss at Tampa Bay but convinced head coach Mike McCarthy to let him play last Sunday against Atlanta.
“He was in a lot of pain,” McCarthy said. “For him to go out and throw the ball like he did and to play the way he did, I think, is a tribute to him. He definitely played big in the game.”
“We’re making common mistakes, things we’re stressing in practice, and we need to clean them up,” McCarthy added.
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said his team is not playing up to its capabilities and have no one to blame but themselves for their atrocious start.
“Coming in, I had very, very high expectations. And I still do. So when do we start here? When do we get it going?” Holmgren asked. “When do we play the way that we think we are capable of playing?”
The Packers are ranked eighth in scoring, averaging 26.6 points per game but are ranked 23rd in scoring defense, allowing 25.6 points per game.
The Seahawks are ranked 27th in total defense and 29th in scoring defense, allowing 31.0 points per game.
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and NFL Free Picks.
Packers
Green Bay is 16-7-1 ATS in its last 24 games
Green Bay is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Green Bay is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
Green Bay is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Green Bay’s last 9 games
Green Bay is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
Green Bay is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Green Bay’s last 7 games on the road
Seahawks
Seattle is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle’s last 5 games
Seattle is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Seattle is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle’s last 6 games at home
Seattle is 1-2-2 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Green Bay
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Green Bay
NFL Odds
Green Bay Packers +2 -110
Seattle Seahawks -2 -110
Over 46½ -110
Under 46½ -110
Analysis: While I don’t think very highly of the Seattle Seahawks and really like Aaron Rodgers, I think the Seahawks are overdue and will get the win in this home contest against a team they are just about equal with in both, skill level and talent.
Take the Seahawks to win and cover the spread. By the way, the ‘Over’ is a lock as well.
