Proud Packers primed for rebound
In the cold, snow and wind in Chicago last week, the Green Bay Packers looked nothing like one of the NFL’s best teams, and quarterback Brett Favre had one of his worst days.
The Packers are locked into the NFC’s No. 2 playoff seed, but that does not mean they will mail it in again today against the Detroit Lions.
After an embarrassing 35-7 loss to the Bears, expect a determined effort from Green Bay, handicapper Joseph D’Amico said.
“It is essential for Favre to get his team back on track with some momentum heading into the playoffs,” said D’Amico (allamericansports.info). “This is a big rivalry game. Look for the Packers to light up the lowly Lions.”
Green Bay, 12-3 straight up and 11-3-1 against the spread, is a 41/2-point home favorite.
The Lions, 2-5 on the road this season, have not won at Lambeau Field since 1991.
In the first meeting between the teams on Thanksgiving, the Packers coasted to a 37-26 win.
Favre has had an outstanding season, passing for 4,056 yards and 26 touchdowns, but he might not play the entire game today.
Even if Favre takes an early breather, backup Aaron Rodgers can get the job done — provided he plays. He is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury. In relief of Favre, Rodgers completed 18 of 26 passes for 201 yards and one touchdown in a loss at Dallas on Nov. 29.
Ryan Grant, who has 899 yards rushing, has emerged as a big-play threat to balance Green Bay’s offense.
D’Amico, the leader in the Review-Journal NFL Challenge with a 44-34-2 record against the spread, breaks down the rest of the Week 17 schedule:
• Buffalo at Philadelphia (-71/2): Neither team is in playoff contention, but the Bills almost always play hard, and this is a tough call with the line at 71/2. Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is looking to finish as the league leader in total yards from scrimmage. Donovan McNabb has led Philadelphia to impressive victories over New Orleans and Dallas, so, with one more good game, perhaps the McNabb trade rumors will end.
• Carolina (-3) at Tampa Bay: The Buccaneers have dominated the NFC South by winning and covering all five games this season. The Bucs will limit their starters in this game. The underdog in the series is 8-1 against the spread in the past nine meetings. The Panthers’ top offensive threat, wide receiver Steve Smith, has a banged-up shoulder. I will take the home ‘dog.
• Cincinnati (-21/2) at Miami: The Bengals, off an emotional win over rival Cleveland, have the 28th-ranked defense and the 23rd-ranked rushing offense. Quarterback Carson Palmer is one bright spot for Cincinnati. The Dolphins are looking to impress new boss Bill Parcells. But Miami doesn’t have the talent to impress anyone. Take the Bengals laying less than a field goal.
• Dallas at Washington (-9): The Redskins need the win to get in the playoffs, and the Cowboys will be sitting several starters. But it is in Dallas’ best interests to keep a Washington team that steadily is improving out of the playoffs. I will take the Cowboys getting more than a touchdown.
• Jacksonville at Houston (-61/2): The Jaguars clinched an AFC wild-card spot and have covered seven straight games. The Texans are 2-7 ATS in their past nine versus AFC opponents. Jacksonville likes to run to set up the pass, but with running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew likely to rest today, it will be more difficult for the passing game. Houston will try to finish with pride and advance to 8-8. Sage Rosenfels gets the start at QB, and I’ll lay the points with the Texans.
• New Orleans (-2) at Chicago: It’s hard to believe this was last season’s NFC title game. The Saints (7-8) have a shot at the playoffs, but they will be without running back Reggie Bush, and backup Aaron Stecker is questionable. Did the Bears play their best game last week, or do they have one more big effort in them? I’d stay away from this one.
• Pittsburgh (-3) at Baltimore: Backup quarterback Charlie Batch likely will start for the Steelers. Batch will have to be on his toes with running back Willie Parker out for the season with a broken leg. Injuries have crippled the Ravens defense, and running back Willis McGahee has injured ribs and won’t play. Pittsburgh thrives in December, going 9-3 against the spread in its past 12 games. The Ravens are 2-13 ATS this season. Even with Batch at the controls, Pittsburgh gets it done.
• Seattle at Atlanta (-1): Seneca Wallace will start at quarterback for the Seahawks. Even if coach Mike Holmgren decides to sit his key players, Seattle has enough strength and depth to beat the Falcons. Go with the Seahawks.
• San Francisco at Cleveland
(-11): The Browns have covered six straight at home. The San Francisco defense is worn out from spending too much time on the field. Cleveland has a well-balanced offense with quarterback Derek Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis. This line is high, but Cleveland can cover it.
• Tennessee (-5) at Indianapolis: The Titans can clinch a playoff berth with a win and leave Cleveland out in the cold. The Colts probably are going to play their starters for the first half. They need to get Peyton Manning and wideout Marvin Harrison in synch before they enter the playoffs. Tennessee will pound running back LenDale White up the middle all day, but quarterback Vince Young has trouble with quality defenses. Take the Colts and the points.
• Minnesota (-3) at Denver: Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler gets the edge over the Vikings’ Tarvaris Jackson. Minnesota rookie Adrian Peterson has a shot at the rushing title as he faces a very weak Denver run defense. It’s too difficult to pick a side here, but lots of points will be scored, so take this over the total (411/2).
• San Diego (-8) at Oakland: The Raiders took a 49-11 whipping from Jacksonville last week, and rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell likely will start for Oakland. Chargers coach Norv Turner might not want to take any unnecessary risks. San Diego is laying a lot of points, but I can’t come up with one reason to play the Raiders.
• St. Louis at Arizona (-6): How are the Rams so bad with so much talent? The Cardinals will miss the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year, but they can finish 8-8 with a win. I have to stay away from this one.
• Kansas City at N.Y. Jets (-6): Chiefs coach Herman Edwards faces his former team, and both teams have had disappointing seasons. Kansas City has dropped eight straight and hasn’t been the same since losing running back Larry Johnson. The Jets have improved. Over the past four games, their defense has allowed 15.7 points per game. The Jets will show heart, so lay the points.
Compiled by Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans.
