Bet On Sunday Night Football – Patriots Push Toward Top Seed In AFC Playoffs

The Green Bay Packers were a popular Super Bowl pick before the season.

Now, however, Green Bay is fighting for its playoff life against theAFC-leading Patriots.For those who bet on Sunday Night Football, here’s a preview and pick.

Sunday, December 19th – 4:15 PM ET

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 55% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? If so JOIN NOW.]

Green Bay Packers @ New England Patriots

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA

Broadcast: FOX

Bet On Sunday Night Football Odds:

This game was always going to be important; the NFL schedule has a fantastic week 15 menu, and this contest was circled in red since the time it was officially announced. Yet, the specific circumstances surrounding this showdown have caught many observers by surprise. The New England Patriots were not picked to dominate the NFL the way they have this season. It was the Green Bay Packers, in fact, who were thought to be the ascendant team in professional football. Now, Green Bay is on the ledge, and New England could very well push the boys from Wisconsin out of the playoffs. Green Bay wouldn’t be eliminated with a loss, but the Pack would fall into a very precarious position.

Bet On Sunday Night Football: What The Packers Have To Do To Win

Green Bay needs Aaron Rodgers to play, be healthy, and max out. It really is that simple.Coach Mike McCarthy looked on in horror last weekend, as hisoffense looked utterly lost without its main man under center. Green Bay’s defense allowed just seven points to the Detroit Lions, but because Rodgers got knocked out with a concussion, the Packers had to playmore than afull half with backup signal callerMatt Flynn. The result was disastrous. Green Bay absorbed a 7-3 loss that kept the Pack Attack one game behind the Chicago Bears in the race for the NFC betting North division championship. That giveaway loss means this New England game is nowfar more essential to the Packers’ division title and playoff hopes. Green Bay’s season is truly on the line in this game, and that means Rodgers – the face of the franchise – mustbe healthy enough to play. Ifhe can play,Rodgers must deliver the goods against the NFL’s best team. Green Bayshould use max-protect schemes andkeep running backs in to chip New England linebackers. McCarthycan’t take too many chances when it comes to Rodgers’ health.

Bet On Sunday Night Football: What The Patriots Have To Do To Win

New England’s defense holds the key to this game and every other contestthe Patriots will play for the rest of the season. Quarterback Tom Brady is in a zone,playing his very bestball andmaking everyone around him better. The only question markfor the top team in the AFC betting is if an old and retooled defense can contain opponents, particularly in thered zone. As long as Green Bay -like any ofthe Pats’ remaining foes – fails to posta really big number, Bradyshould be able to get his offense to the 30-point markand likely produce another victory.

Bet On Sunday Night Football: Outlook & Pick

Even if Aaron Rodgers does play, it’s hard to see the Packers’ franchise player hitting all the right notes on the road. This is essentially a night game (being played after 4 p.m. local time during the shortest week of the year), so the crowd in Foxborough is going to be especially energetic. Green Bay needed to be at full strength entering this showdown, and the Packers just don’t appear to be in mint condition. New England will pull away in the third quarter and prevail.

Bet On Sunday Night Football Pick: Patriots