NFL picks: The Green Bay Packers are fully confident that they will be in the mix for a run at Super Bowl glory now that QB Aaron Rodgers is back and fully healed from injury after missing half of the 2013 season in which the Packers defense was exposed and nearly cost them a playoff spot. The Pack is spending the preseason retooling that defense as if they can just get it up to average standards it would likely be good enough for a deep playoff run. The Oakland Raiders are a mess and shopping for a new home, with San Antonio, TX and Los Angeles, CA reputed to be in the mix, as their perpetual rebuilding project continues on with no evidence of improvement. The Packers will host the Raiders Friday night at Lambeau Field with coverage on CBS starting at 8 PM ET.
Silver and Not in the Black
The Raiders are 1-1 straight up and 0-2 against the spread in preseason games so far this year with an even 1-1 split on totals. Oakland is coming off a 27-26 thriller against the Detroit Lions in which Matt McGloin hit Brice Butler for a 19-yard TD pass to win the game for the Raiders with six seconds remaining to play. Oakland was a three point chalk, however, and did not get the money as the game soared over the total of 40. McGloin, Derek Carr, and Matt Schaub all saw action at QB for the Raiders with mixed results.
Packers Ram St. Louis
Green Bay is 1-1 both straight up and against the spread in preseason action with both of their games going under the total. The Packers are coming off a dominant 21-7 win at the St. Louis Rams as 2.5 point dogs with the game going under the total of 43. Aaron Rodgers, Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn combined to go 23-31 for 261 yards passing. The Packers defense had a solid performance as well holding the Rams to 78 yards rushing and 138 yards passing.
Our Pick
Green Bay has the better quarterbacking, regardless of who is in the lineup, compared to the Raiders. This will be the Packers first game at Lambeau Field in preseason and we expect a strong showing and Packers payout.
