The last time — and only time — Aaron Rodgers lost three games in the month of December was all the way back in 2008. It’s now 2018, but with Rodgers and the Packers struggling and already eliminated from playoff contention, they risk losing their third game this month as they travel to MetLife Stadium to face the 4-10 SU New York Jets. Although Green Bay has lost four of its last five games, the Pack actually opened as 3-point favorites in this contest, with the total set at 44 points.
- The OVER has hit in five of New York’s last six home games (avg. combined score: 53.67).
- Green Bay is 8-3 SU in its last 11 road games against teams with losing records.
- New York is 1-5 SU and ATS in its last six early afternoon games.
THIS SUNDAY I’M BETTING OVER 44
The Packers definitely haven’t looked like the Green Bay teams we’re accustomed to seeing, especially during their recent four-game stretch when they have topped 20 points just once.
Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers has an 11.5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and will surpass 4,000 passing yards for the season, but those numbers don’t quite stand out as much when he has just 23 touchdowns in a season when passing offenses are thriving almost league-wide. He also lost his starting running back, Aaron Jones, due to injury early in last week’s loss, and Jones’ status for this Sunday is up in the air. Rodgers does get a boost in Week 16 by going against a Jets defense that struggles in the secondary and allows the ninth-most points per game.
For the Jets, the offense actually looked quite competent for the second straight week following the return of Sam Darnold. Despite losing to Houston in Week 15, the Jets were able to move the ball, generate some impressive offensive drives and put up 22 points, their third straight game topping the 20-point mark, and they get to face a Packers defense that has allowed at least 20 points in all but two games this season.
Neither of these offenses is flawless — far from it, actually — but they both get to go against defenses that aren’t going to provide a lot of resistance. With both clubs likely going down the depth chart for support out of the backfield, there could be a lot of passing, and a good amount of points. In a game between two non-playoff teams, I’m betting the OVER on a modest total of 44 points.
SAM DARNOLD IS BACK TO TRENDING UP
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold, the third overall pick in this year’s draft, made quite an impression to start the season, but hit the rookie wall — hard — midway through his campaign.
After sitting out three games with lower-body injuries, Darnold returned to the lineup, and it looks like the time off was the best thing for him.
In the two games since he returned, he’s completed 64.5 percent of his passes, while throwing three touchdowns against just one interception, compared to seven interceptions in the three games prior to his injury.
Darnold has looked more poised, confident and comfortable in the pocket, as Jets fans have all breathed a collective sigh of relief, seeing their franchise quarterback is again progressing in a manner that makes his – and the Jets’ – future look bright.
DAVANTE ADAMS IN FOR ANOTHER BIG GAME
Despite the disappointing results from the Green Bay Packers this season, one player who has lived up to his star billing is wide receiver Davante Adams.
The fifth-year pro is second in the NFL in targets and one of only four players with 100 receptions; he sees a lot of action … and he’s delivering. Adams is fourth in the NFL with 1,315 receiving yards, 60 of his receptions have resulted in first downs and he’s second in the league with 12 receiving touchdowns.
He’s also consistently contributing, having notched at least 80 yards or a touchdown in every contest, and he could be in store for another big game against a Jets secondary that just got torched by DeAndre Hopkins for 10 catches, 170 yards and two touchdowns.
Look for Adams to again get the lion’s share of targets from Aaron Rodgers, and expect him to again fill the stat sheet.
