While Tennessee head to Baltimore, their AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts play host to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
A Colts loss would open the door for Tennessee to regain control of the division should they beat Baltimore with the 2 going head to head next week. The Packers come into the game with 2 wins more than the Chicago Bears at the top of the NFC North despite having played a game less. A win here leaves them 3 full games clear which would seem an insurmountable gap given how both teams have been playing. So, this game has the lot, motivation for both sides to win, both have plenty of talent but also weakness there to be got at. This is a very intriguing match-up.
Betpat Betting:
Money line: Packers 11/10 Colts 3/4
Points Spread: Colts -1.5
Over/Under: 51.5
I reckon this is a swing for the fences type game if you’re looking to put money on it. TY Hilton to score a TD in each half is 35/1. I know he hasn’t had a good season so far, but we know he has the talent. And Aaron Jones is 40/1 to score the 1st and last TD.
Fantasy Football Outlook:
Green Bay Packers:
Packers offense has been on fire this season and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who is at the heart of that. Aaron Rodgers is one of the greatest to ever strap on a pair of pads and when he is playing with a chip on his shoulder like he has been this season, he usually leads a path of destruction in his wake. But this Colts defense have given up the least amount of fantasy points to Quarterbacks in the league so it’s a clash of the unstoppable force and the immovable object. It would be a big call to not start Rodgers in ant game though.
Rodgers isn’t alone in driving the Packers forward either. Aaron Jones provides the Packers with a very solid run game and the Packers will need him performing at a high level to keep this Colts defense honest.
The holy trinity is rounded out by Devante Adams at WR, legitimately one of the leagues’ elite. Backing them up are Receiver Marquez Valdez-Scantling and Tight End Robert Tonyan. While neither name would strike fear into too many defences by themselves, Rodgers ability to turn players of seemingly modest ability into serious receiving threats makes them viable fantasy options.
The big worry for GB is their defense though who are there to be got at. Stopping the run game has consistently been their Achilles’ heel and given the Colts solid list of Running Backs to choose from, I don’t recommend using the Packers D. Â
Indianapolis Colts:
The Colts offense is led by veteran Philip Rivers who has been having an up and down type season. He may have to be content with letting the run game carry the heavier load in this game as the Packers are much better defending the passing game than a ground attack.
Indy are another team with a stable of decent Running Backs and which one provides the bulk of the production on any given day is tough to predict. Rookie Jonathan Taylor is the most talented of the three, but Hines and Wilkins get their share of carries too and a lot depends on who shows the hot hand early.
At receiver, the Colts have generally struggled to make any impact on the fantasy landscape but there is hope. Rookie Michael Pittman had been frustrated with injury and limited opportunity up until last week, but he finally got to give everyone a glimpse of the potential he has against the Titans. If he can establish himself as a good accomplice for TY Hilton, they could be a very dangerous partnership.
As mentioned already, the Colts defense is outstanding, although they do have a big test on their hands against Rodgers and co. But the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed that they can be stifled. The slight worry is that they don’t have the pass rush ability to really make Rodgers uncomfortable and if they have to bring extra bodies to apply that pressure, Rodgers is very adept at taking advantage. So that battle will be very interesting to watch.
My Prediction:
I have no idea where to start. There are so many questions to be answered to decide this game. On one hand, I usually favour the teams with the solid defense. On the other hand, the Packers have been overcoming the lack of a defense for donkey’s years. And I just feel that if the Colts afford to fall behind at any stage, they’ll struggle to claw their way back. I’m taking the Packers by 6 but with zero conviction in that prediction
Packers by 6.
