Packers Back in the Hunt in NFC North Race
The Green Bay Packers are now right back in the NFC North Division playoff chase after downing the Detroit Lions at home this past week and taking advantage of the New Orleans Saints win over the Chicago Bears.
In the preseason, most figured this division was the Packers to lose, but after three weeks they suddenly found themselves already trailing by two games at 1-2. But after a bye and a win over the Lions and watching the Bears lose two in a row they are tied in the loss column with the Bear and Lions.
This week, the Packers will face the Baltimore Ravens in search of their first road win of the season. the Ravens are coming off a win on the road against the Miami Dolphins this past week and are 3-2 on the season. The Ravens defense is not what it once was with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, but the offense may be better than ever as Joe Flacco has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The battle between Flacco and Aaron Rodgers should be fun to watch on Sunday.
The Bears visit the 0-5 New York Giants with an excellent chance to stop their two-games slide. What has happened to the Super Bowl champs from just two years ago? They are almost as bad as the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Giants defense cannot stop anyone anymore, not even Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.
Detroit will be a the suddenly hot Cleveland Browns this Sunday in what should be an entertaining game. The Browns have won three straight games but are now back to Brandon Weeden at quarterback after Brian Hoyer went down to a season ending knee injury against the Buffalo Bills last week. It will be interesting to see what affect that has on the team this week.
The Minnesota Vikings are back in action this week against the aforementioned Panthers. If the Vikings win this week, how long will it be before we start to hear rumors of a replacement at quarterback in Charlotte? That usually comes right before the coach gets the axe. The Vikings have their own QB controversy again. They need to figure out if Christian Ponder is their guy or is it Matt Cassel?
A Vikings win along with a Lions and Packers loss would really tighten this division. We really are not likely to see a Bears loss this week so a four way tie on the loss side is not happening.
TopBet has the odds on this week’s NFC North games:
Giants at Bears– Giants are +8.5 -110 and Bears -8.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Giants +300 and Bears -360. Over/Under is 47.5. We like the Bears to cover and the under -110 on this one.
Lions at Browns– Lions are -3 EVEN and Browns are +3 -120 ATS. Moneyline is Lions -140 and Browns +120. Over/Under is 45.5. We are going with the Browns +3 at home and the under -110 here.
Packers at Ravens– Packers are -3 -105 and Ravens are +3 -115 ATS. Moneyline is Green Bay -145 and +125. Over/Under is 48.5. We like the Ravens +3 at home and the over -110.
Panthers at Vikings– Carolina is +2.5 -110 and the Vikings are -2.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Carolina +120 and the Vikings -140. Over/Under is 44. We are going with Minnesota -2.5 and the under -110 on this one.
