Focus Could Be An Issue For Packers Against Washington

Green Bay (5-1 SU, 5-1 ATS) has strung together five consecutive victories and covers since Sportsbook the season with a blowout loss to New Orleans. However, the Packers could be vulnerable to a letdown this week when they host the struggling Washington Football Team (2-4, 1-5). Green Bay opened as a 7.5-point favorite.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Three of the Packers’ five victories this season have come by 10 points or more, and that could be the margin they’ll need to win this game by in order to cover the number. As of Tuesday morning, Green Bay was favored by 9.5 points at most betting sites, while the total had dipped slightly to 49.

Washington News & Notes

After throwing seven touchdown passes in his first three starts, quarterback Taylor Heinicke has come crashing back to earth in his last two outings. Heinicke had just 172 passing yards in Sunday’s 31-13 loss to Kansas City, a game in which Washington had just four first downs after halftime, and he’s been intercepted three times in his last two games while tossing just one TD.

Washington’s running game hasn’t provided much help, possibly because starting back Antonio Gibson has been dealing with a lingering shin injury. Gibson has not run for more than 69 yards in a game since the Sportsbook week of the season and the injury may force him to finally sit this one out. If Gibson can’t go, backups J.D. McKissic and Jaret Patterson might be good value options for fantasy players.

Washington’s defense also continues to struggle, allowing 30-plus points last week for the fourth consecutive game. An average of 57.2 points have been scored in Washington’s last five games, with four of those contests going OVER the total.

Green Bay News & Notes

Injuries to several key starters haven’t fazed the Packers, who enter this week on a 5-0 SU and ATS surge. Aaron Rodgers has had multiple touchdown passes in each of his last six games while throwing just one interception during that span, and he added 19 rushing yards and a touchdown in last week’s 24-14 win in Chicago.

With wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, Davante Adams and Aaron Jones have played more prominent roles in the Green Bay offense. Adams accounted for nearly half of the Packers’ receiving yards against the Bears and is averaging more than 110 per game on the year, while Jones has recorded more than 100 yards from scrimmage in each of his last two.

Coming off a big win in Chicago and with a game at Arizona on deck next Thursday, the Packers could be vulnerable to a letdown spot. However, Green Bay has done a good job keeping its focus lately when facing inferior opposition, going 6-1 ATS in its last seven against teams with losing SU records.

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How Washington Will Cover

The way Washington is playing on both sides of the ball right now, it’s hard to imagine them pulling off the outright upset. But their defense at least has the potential to keep this game within single digits, especially if Green Bay is looking ahead to next week’s game in Arizona.

How Green Bay Will Cover

Even though the Packers have won and covered three straight, their offense has averaged less than 25 points per game in regulation time over the last three. In order to cover this double-digit spread, Green Bay’s defense will need to turn in another quality effort and may have to hold Washington under 20 points.

Computer Pick: Green Bay -9.5

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