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The Green Bay Packers are hanging around on the periphery of the playoff picture, but they have a huge reinforcement coming on the horizon. Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been medically cleared after breaking his collarbone early in the season and hopes to lead the team to a postseason spot.
The Packers have a tough Week 15 game against the Carolina Panthers but feel confident in their ability to pull out the win on the road because of the return of arguably the best player in the NFL. Carolina is battling not only for a wild card spot but possibly the NFC South as well so there is a ton on the line for both teams.
Even with Rodgers, this is a tough chose and Green Bay will be a slight underdog for this matchup. If Rodgers is rusty, it could be a tough game to win for the Packers.
Watch this regular season Week 15 matchup live on Sunday, December 17, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Green Bay Packers +3
Carolina Panthers -3
Over/Under 47
Odds Analysis
The oddsmakers believe as these teams have even talent on the rosters as the Panthers are the favorites because of the location of the contest. Even with Rodgers’ presence, more than 67 percent of the money is on the Panthers to cover this spread.
The scoring total is much higher than it would have been without Rodgers in the game. The “over” is the more popular choice, with a whopping 78 percent of the money believing the game will be a shootout.
Injury Report
Rodgers — The Packers’ quarterback has been practicing for the last couple of weeks and should be ready to go in this one. He was injured two months ago but has worked hard to return. The Packers won a crucial overtime game in Cleveland last time out to improve to 7-6 and make it so that Rodgers; return can be meaningful. Brett Hundley will return to the backup role.
Cam Newton — Green Bay isn’t the only team with an ailing quarterback. Newton is dealing with a shoulder injury and was limited in practice on Wednesday. However, he is expected to play in this one. If Newton is bothered by the injury at all, it will be a big deal, as this should be a close game and the Panthers need their star at full strength.
Devin Funchess — The Carolina wide receiver is dealing with a shoulder injury of his own. He was listed as questionable heading into last week’s game but was active and contributed seven catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. He should play in this one and has evolved into a key piece.
Key Stat
Two. That’s the number of wins that separates eight teams in the NFC. Both the Packers (7-6) and Panthers (9-4) are in that mix, and several of them are going to be left on the outside looking in at the playoffs.
Carolina is in good shape to earn a playoff berth, but a loss here would certainly make things more dicey. The Panthers would prefer looking at it more positively. They are tied with the Saints for the NFC South lead and would love to claim the division title.
The Packers are not going to catch the Vikings in the NFC North but are only a game outside of the second wild card position. Green Bay has to play well down the stretch because it is currently behind in some of the tiebreakers.
Free ATS Pick
There is good reason to take the Panthers in this game. They have been solid all season long and get the game at home, which is huge. However, Rodgers has been waiting half the season to get back into action, and he’s not going to let his playoff dream die after only one game.
It might be a slow start for the Packers, but the choice is Green Bay to win this game in an upset. Take the “under” as it’ll take Rodgers a little bit of time to turn it on.
NFL Odds: Packers 23, Panthers 21
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