Predictions

It's Football Night in America with two of the oldest franchises in sports playing each when the New York Giants established in 1925 invade Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin to face the Green Bay Packers established in 1919 and joined the NFL in 1921 to renew their rivalry for the 60th time. The Packers lost the first game in 1928, 6-0, and have lost the last three, but leads the series 31-26-2.

The Packers are 60-20-1 under Coach Mike McCarthy at Lambeau Field and have won 2 of the last 3. McCarthy began in 2006 by losing his first 3 home games and went 1 of 6 in first seven. He then won 11 of the next 12, lost 3 of the next 5, won 21 of the next 26, went 1-3-1 and then won 12 in a row before losing 3 of the last 5 leading into this game.

 

On Sunday Night Football McCarthy is 11-8, but 7-3 at Lambeau Field. However, the Packers have lost their last 3 games on Sunday night and their last home game.

 

With all that background here's what the experts are saying about the Giants game.

 

MyBookie.net NFL Line: Packers (-7):

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will be looking fuel their title ambitions when they host Eli Manning and the Giants in a possible game-of-the-week encounter at the Lambeau on Sunday. With the Packers coming off a bye week, the Packers will certainly have the advantage here, especially because the Giants will be on a short week after playing the Vikings in Minnesota on Monday.

 

Even so, 7 points sounds a bit too much for the Giants to give in this game against the Packers. Manning, as you all know, is as durable as they come at QB, so playing on short week shouldn’t affect his performance that much. In addition, Green Bay’s defense has been guilty of allowing teams back in games this season, a loophole that could easily be exploited by NY’s talented offense that has gotten its act together in terms of finishing games strongly. More notably, Manning has led the Giants to three straight wins over the Packers dating back to 2012, with NY also owning a solid 5-1 ATS mark in its last six overall games against Green Bay. Therefore, while we are a bit skeptic on recommending the Giants for the outright win, we feel confident that they will be able to give a strong show to at least cash in on the ATS value.

Pick: Giants (+7)

 

Pro Football Talk:

MDS’s take: The Giants turned in a disappointing performance Monday night and now have to travel to Green Bay on a short work week against a well-rested Packers team. Aaron Rodgers may turn in his best game of the season.

MDS’s pick: Packers 28, Giants 14.

 

Florio’s take: As Trump and Clinton do battle again, the Packers haven’t played since before their first meeting — and the Giants are playing on a short week after traveling home from Minnesota and back to Green Bay. And the Packers will be lighting Odell Beckham’s fuse, early.

Florio’s pick: Packers 31, Giants 20.

 

FOX Sports Cheat Sheet:

The New York papers have had a field day with Odell Beckham. The New York Post had a photo of Beckham in OshKosh B’Goshes, sucking a pacifier and sitting in a crib this week. Relentless. I think OBJ answers in a huge way against a depleted Packers defensive backfield, but it won’t be enough. Green Bay — coming off the bye — puts up enough points to combat a very angry, very motivated Giants offense.

The pick: Packers 34, Giants 30

 

SportsNaut

If ever there was a week in which the expensive Giants defense could finally emerge as one worth its price, it’s this week. Green Bay’s offensive line is pretty rancid, having allowed eight sacks this year and 47 last year. Olivier Vernon, Jason Pierre-Paul and Co. need to prove their worth in a major way. To this point, Big Blue’s offseason investments are looking sketchy. But a big performance in this upcoming game at Lambeau could turn this perception around. The Giants have plenty of offensive firepower to hang with Aaron Rodgers and the Pack. Provided Odell Beckham Jr. quits with the tantrum act and actually keeps his head in the game, New York’s offense is as explosive as any in the league. Green Bay’s defense is allowing opposing passers to complete 66.7 percent of their passes (No. 26) and a 105.3 passer rating.

 

Admittedly, it’s not a given that the Giants will come through when it’s time to execute. But on paper this team has a legitimate chance of taking out the Pack at Lambeau Sunday night.

 

SB Nation: (All Pick The Packers)

Ryan Van Bibber, Stephen White, Thomas George, Jeanna Thomas, Adam Stites, Tyler Tynes, Louis Bien, Joel Thorman, David Fucillo, OddsShark Computer

 

My Pick:

Green Bay 38, New York 35