The Green Bay Packers offense showed signs of life in Week 2 with a big divisional home victory against Minnesota. They get to welcome a struggling Denver Broncos squad to Lambeau for Week 3. The Pack are big favorites, but can the offense put together a complete game and actually cover the spread?
Denver Broncos vs Green Bay Packers (Matchup Report)
Date/Time: September 22, 1 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: CBS
Sportsbook Odds: Green Bay -8 | O/U 43.5 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The line opened with Green Bay as an 8-point favorite, but with a lower total at 43.5. Bettors think Denver can keep it close, as the spread has already shifted to -7.5.
Denver News & Notes
Denver’s biggest downfall last season was inconsistent quarterback play, which led to them trading for former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to try to right the ship. Unfortunately, through two weeks, it’s looking like more of the same in the Mile High City. Denver has scored just 30 points through two games, with neither the passing game nor the running game showing any signs of being more than mediocre at best.
What’s most upsetting for Denver, however, is how the normally ferocious Denver defense has been, well, toothless. The Broncos have yet to force a turnover, nor have they recorded a sack through two games, despite having two of the NFL’s best pass rushers in Bradley Chubb and Von Miller.
With a matchup against future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers on tap, it will be a long day for Denver if Miller and Chubb don’t ramp up the pressure. If they do, then expect the defense to likely keep alive Denver’s streak of six straight road games going UNDER.
Green Bay News & Notes
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense are back. They dropped 21 points on a tough Vikings defense in Week 2, as Rodgers shredded them with incredible efficiency, they balanced it with a strong running game and they looked like the juggernaut offense we expect them to be.
Then the first quarter ended … and the Packers offense didn’t score again the rest of the game. Rodgers finished with a 101.2 passer rating, and again didn’t have any turnovers, but he finished with just over 200 passing yards for the second straight game.
The Packers relied heavily on Aaron Jones throughout Week 2, and a defense that was gashed in the running game, but harassed the quarterback and stood tall when it mattered most. It’s still hard to pinpoint the Packers’ true identity, but seeing as the UNDER has hit in four of their last five games, we’re getting a better idea of who they truly are.
Betting Pick: UNDER 43.5
The Packers have had one good offensive quarter so far. The Broncos have had zero. Both have good defenses, so give me UNDER 43.5.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Green Bay’s last 5 home games.
- The total has gone UNDER in the Broncos’ last 11 games (avg. combined score: 38.09).
- The Packers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games after an ATS win.
