New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers odds, picks and predictions

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The New England Patriots (0-1) visit the Green Bay Packers (1-0) in Week 2 of the NFL preseason. Kickoff from Lambeau Field is at 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Patriots vs. Packers odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Patriots dropped their preseason opener to the Houston Texans 20-9 on Aug. 10 as their starters rested. QB/WR Malik Cunningham was one of the few bright spots for New England’s offense, scoring the lone touchdown on a 9-yard run with just under 2 minutes remaining. The Pats signed veteran RB Ezekiel Elliott mid-week and he joined the team for joint practices with the Packers, although whether he will suit up Saturday is uncertain.

The Packers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 36-19 last Friday as they got their preseason underway. QB Jordan Love played 2 series and completed 7-of-10 passes for 46 yards with a 9-yard TD pass to WR Romeo Doubs. QB Sean Clifford completed 20-of-26 passes for 208 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs. He is expected to see plenty of action in the preseason as he vies to be the only other active QB on the 53-man roster.

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Patriots at Packers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 11:46 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Patriots +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Packers -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Patriots +2.5 (-110) | Packers -2.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 37 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Patriots at Packers picks and predictions

Prediction

Packers 21, Patriots 17

Moneyline

We may see some action from the Patriots starters this week, and having QB Mac Jones and company on the field may lead to a slightly better performance than the listless one we saw against the Texans in their opener. However, if the starters appear at all it is likely to be brief and not enough to overcome the Packers.

Green Bay’s starters moved the ball well in its opener and the backups had some moments when they really shined. We may see slightly extended action from Love and the rest of the Packers starters, but even if they only play a couple of series this team showed it can get it done.

Split the play here and go with a half unit on the PACKERS (-145) and a half unit against the spread.

Against the spread

I’d place my other half unit on the PACKERS -2.5 (-110). The value here is slightly more compelling than the moneyline but uncertainty concerning starters for both teams makes it difficult to go all in on any wager.

The Pats trailed by at least 4 points from early in the 2nd quarter in their preseason opener and still have things to work out as the offense adapts to new schemes under coordinator Bill O’Brien. We might get a slightly better performance Saturday, but it’s unlikely to be a complete 180-degree turn.

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Over/Under

With concerns about how much of the field the starters will see and a prediction that this game will come down near the number, it’s better to PASS on the total and let things fall as they may.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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