Every team has to deal with injuries and the league-wide mantra is “next man up.” But the Green Bay Packers are running out men and it’s amazing that they even had a chance at beating the Falcons on the road last week. In an odd twist, the lack of starters in the lineup has actually made Aaron Rodgers more successful at orchestrating the Packers offense. He’s had two of his best games while operating without a running back and looks to continue the hot streak against the leaky defense of the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.
This matchup in Week 9 of the regular season will take place on Sunday, November 6, 2016, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Indianapolis Colts +7
Green Bay Packers -7
Over/Under 54
Odds Analysis
The betting public feels better about the Packers injury situation than that of the Colts with 76 percent of the early wagers going for the home team. Despite its loss Sunday, Green Bay played a decent game considering the number of players not dressed. That bodes well for the Pack as the Colts are looking ahead to their bye in order to get some bodies healthy. The over is getting plenty of action and the total has already spiked from its opening of 52.5. That’s a high number for NFL standards, but these teams are equipped to reach it.
Injury Report
Joe Reitz – The Colts have their own injury issues and one that could be significant is to offensive lineman Joe Reitz, who left Sunday’s game with an apparent concussion. The Colts have allowed the most sacks in the NFL and losing a starter up front is an issue when trying to keep Andrew Luck upright.
Clay Matthews – Missed the Packers’ last game with a hamstring injury and the defense suffered. Matthews is the leader of the group and in his absence the Pack allowed a late touchdown in a 33-32 loss at Atlanta. A banged up secondary could be hung out to dry if the Packers can’t pressure Luck and Matthews is one of the keys to the pass rush.
Matchup to Watch
The Colts may not line up against Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery on the Packers offense, but they still have to contend with Aaron Rodgers, and that’s always a daunting task. With the Pack offense decimated by injuries, Rodgers has been at his best and with some big guns missing Green Bay has seemingly figured out what was hindering them earlier in the season. Without Lacy and Starks, the Packers are without a traditional running game, but Rodgers has made up for it by spreading the ball all over the field regardless of who’s out there catching his passes.
Rodgers and the offense did their part to give the Packers a shot at beating Atlanta, but in the end the defense couldn’t make a play. That means the Pack will have to score more points so they’re not in that awkward position of trying to hold a late lead. The Colts could easily oblige. Indianapolis has surrendered at least 22 points in every game and ranks near the bottom with an average of nearly 30 points per game allowed.
Free ATS Pick
Both teams have sustained an inordinate amount of injuries and it’s the team that overcomes them the best that will walk away with a victory. It looks like the Packers have done a nice job, at least on offense, in dealing with their ailments. They don’t have an every down running back with Starks and Lacy out and that’s forced the passing game to step up. And Rodgers has delivered even if he doesn’t know the first names of the guys he’s throwing to.
Both teams are dealing with key injuries to defensive players and with a pair of gunslingers tossing the ball all over the yard, the over is in serious jeopardy. The Packers will win and cover simply because their offensive line is in better shape than Indy’s. Luck has been under constant siege with a battered front unable to keep defenders off him. Green Bay needs to get after him so the secondary, which is minus three starters, doesn’t get burned too badly. Rodgers has played incredibly well the last two games without several starters, but the line has held up and others have stepped up. This one has points all over it but the Packers get most of them to get the victory.
NFL Odds: Packers 34, Colts 24
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