The Green Bay Packers visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in a game that can be seen on FOX. The Packers begin the 2016 NFL season as one of the top contenders to make it to the Super Bowl while the Jaguars are just trying to have a winning season. The Packers are listed as 5.5 point road favorites at the best online sportsbook.
Week 1 NFL Odds
Green Bay Packers -5.5, total 48
Shootout Expected
The Packers have a potent offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Jordy Nelson who is returning from injury. Green Bay also has a slimmed down Eddie Lacy and a new tight end in Jared Cook. The Packers were down a bit last year on offense without Nelson but things should get back to normal this season for Rodgers and company.
The Jaguars have Blake Bortles at quarterback and wide receiver Allen Robinson. Jacksonville was much better than expected on offense last season and playing at home they should have success in this matchup against Green Bay.
“Regardless of outside perspectives of where we’re at, the last three years people continually talked bad and rightfully so,” said linebacker Paul Posluszny, “But we feel like the group we have now is definitely the most talented group Jacksonville has had for a long time, we feel like we have impact players on each level of this defense and around this entire team. Collectively, this is the best, most talented group we’ve had.”
The key matchup to watch when Green Bay has the ball is Nelson and Randall Cobb going against Jacksonville cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Davon House and Prince Amukamara. If Jacksonville can’t get decent coverage from their cornerbacks then this game could get out of hand in a hurry.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on Jared Cook going against the Jacksonville linebackers. Last season the Jaguars struggled against tight ends and Rodgers has always been known to be a quarterback who loves throwing to his tight ends.
On the other side, the Jaguars have to give Bortles time to throw so the Jaguars will have to keep Clay Matthews under control. If Bortles has time he has plenty of playmakers including Robinson and Allen Hurns.
Game Notes
The Jaguars have lost their past four season opening games. Jacksonville hasn’t had a winning season since 2007. Green Bay has lost three of their last four regular season openers.
The Packers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in September. The Packers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games. The Jaguars are 10-21-1 ATS in their last 32 home games. The Jaguars are 9-23 ATS in their last 32 games in September.
The Over is 5-0 in the Packers last 5 games in Week 1. The Over is 9-2 in the Packers last 11 games in September. The Over is 6-1 in the Jaguars last 7 games in September. The Over is 5-2 in the Jaguars last 7 home games.
Week 1 NFL Picks
I will take the Packers minus the points at online sports books like Topbet sportsbook and also play the game over the total.
