Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Keep an eye on these five things as the Kansas City Chiefs hit the road to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12.
The Kansas City Chiefs will be traveling to Tampa Bay to take on Tom Brady and the new-look Buccaneers. Both teams need a win as the Chiefs try to stay in contention for the No.1 seed, while the Buccaneers try to get back on track after a loss to the Rams in Week 11. This could be one of the most exciting games of the season as both teams are filled with star players.
Here are five things to watch for as the Chiefs play the Buccaneers:
What to watch for and a prediction for the Packers’ Week 10 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Green Bay Packers (6-2) and Jacksonville Jaguars (1-7) will meet Sunday at Lambeau Field for a battle between one of the top contenders in the NFC and a struggling member of the AFC.
Matt LaFleur’s team is looking to start the second half of 2020 with a win, while the Jaguars are attempting to snap a seven-game losing streak.
Here are five things to watch and a prediction for Sunday:
Keep an eye on these five things as the Kansas City Chiefs hit the road to play the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.
The Kansas City Chiefs look to enter the bye week with a win over the Carolina Panthers. They’ll continue a two-game homestand at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, facing off against a non-conference opponent this time around. This is the first NFC South opponent the Chiefs will have faced this season, with three more on the way in the second half of the year. The Panthers present a number of challenges for Kansas City to account for, which should make for an exciting day before we enter a week without Chiefs football.
With the showdown coming up at Noon, below you’ll find five things you should keep an eye on throughout the game:
What to watch and a prediction for the Packers’ Week 8 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Green Bay Packers can extend their winning streak in the NFC North to nine games – the second-longest in franchise history – if Matt LaFleur’s team can beat the visiting Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
The Packers are 5-1 this season, including a perfect 2-0 record at home, while the Vikings 1-5 and coming out the bye after back-to-back losses.
Here are five things to watch and a prediction for the Packers’ Week 8 showdown with the Vikings:
Five things to watch and a prediction for the NFC Championship Game between the Packers and 49ers.
The NFC Championship Game will match the Green Bay Packers against the San Francisco 49ers for a second time this season at Levi’s Stadium, with Sunday’s winner earning the right to represent the conference at Super Bowl LIV.
Here are five things to watch and a prediction for Sunday:
Aaron Rodgers highlighted it all week: The Packers must start fast in San Francisco on Sunday. Back in Week 12, Rodgers coughed up a fumble on the first drive and handed the 49ers a 7-0 lead. The Packers never really settled into the game and it resulted in a 23-0 halftime deficit. For most of the year, the Packers have been a terrific first quarter team, especially on offense. Getting a few positive plays and possibly an early lead could really provide a spark for the visitors and calm the home crowd. Can the underdog Packers come out playing loose and fast on the road?
[lawrence-related id=38335,38275,38258]
Playcaller Kyle Shanahan really stresses defenses with the action passing game. It’s a devastating part of the 49ers attack because Shanahan marries the run and pass game so well, and defenses have to respect the run. In the first meeting, Jimmy Garoppolo scorched the Packers for big plays off run fakes, especially to the middle of the field. The 49ers get people moving the run wrong ways and then throw the ball behind it. The Packers must do a better job staying disciplined and reacting the right way against the action passes Sunday. Stopping the run early and making the 49ers a little more one-dimensional could help, although play-action is effective regardless of how well the run is or isn’t working.
The 49ers won the line of scrimmage in the first meeting, and much of the focus for the rematch is centered around the Packers blocking the 49ers’ pass rush. However, keep this in mind: Per ESPN, the Packers had a better Pass Rush Win Rate and a significantly better Pass Block Win Rate than the 49ers this season. Can the Packers flip the narrative and be the aggressor at the line of scrimmage this time around? A fully intact offensive line must better protect Aaron Rodgers, while Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Kenny Clark need to disrupt everything the 49ers do by consistently winning one-on-one matchups. The Packers must capitalize on a potential hidden advantage.
The Packers didn’t convert a single third down with Rodgers at quarterback in the first meeting with the Niners. Last week, Rodgers was at his very best in clutch situations, converting seven different third downs, including two on the first drive and two more on the final drive. The Packers need a better plan and another clutch performance from Rodgers, who looked confident in the calls and decisive throwing on time against the Seahawks. Just about everything went wrong for the Packers on third down on Nov. 24, but simple improvement in a few areas – such as pass protection, effectiveness on early downs and play from the quarterback – could make a huge difference Sunday. Expect a better plan from Matt LaFleur, too. Third down could make or break the game for the Packers.
[lawrence-related id=38305,38183]
The 49ers make a living off of gaining yards after the catch on offense and preventing yards after the catch on defense. No team in football had a bigger margin between yards gained after the catch and yards allowed after the catch, thanks to a quick-throw offense and a smothering defense. Can the Packers put a dent in the Niners’ advantage on Sunday? Rookie receiver Deebo Samuel and All-Pro tight end George Kittle are both among the NFL leaders in yards after the catch. The Packers can’t let run in space. On offense, Matt LaFleur’s plan needs to find ways of getting Davante Adams and Aaron Jones into the open field. They were shut down in the first meeting. It’s hard to see the Packers scoring enough points to win if they’re shut down again.
There are a lot of good reasons to expect Sunday’s game script to play out differently than the first meeting. And let’s be honest: the first meeting won’t mean a whole lot once the ball is kicked off Sunday. If the Packers can get into the game early, take care of the ball, win battles at the line of scrimmage and avoid giving up a bunch of big plays, they’ll be right in it at the end with a chance to win and get to the Super Bowl. And Matt LaFleur’s team has consistently found ways to get it done late in games. Still, it’s hard to pick against the 49ers, the most complete team left in the field. They have a cutting edge offense loaded with playmakers and a fast, talented defense at all three levels. The Packers can absolutely win this game; I’m just not confident they will.
[lawrence-related id=38213,38170,38283]
Five things to watch and a prediction for Sunday’s Week 13 battle between the Packers and Giants at MetLife Stadium in New York.
The Green Bay Packers have a chance to make it three wins in three chances after losses when they travel to New York to face the Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
The Packers, now 8-3 after last Sunday night’s loss in San Francisco, haven’t lost two games in a row this season. After losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers, Matt LaFleur’s team responded with victories over the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, respectively.
Another win over the Giants would put the Packers one step closer to the postseason.
Here are five things to watch and a prediction for Sunday in New York:
Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones has thrown eight interceptions and lost 10 fumbles in nine starts this season, helping New York rank 30th in the NFL in turnover differential (-11). Although he hasn’t thrown a pick in three of the last four games, he’s lost at least one fumble in five straight games and in seven of his 10 appearances overall. He’s also thrown a pick in five of nine starts. As a result, the Giants lead the NFL in games with two or more turnovers (eight). The Packers haven’t had a takeaway in two of the last three games and have only five in the last six games. It’s time for Mike Pettine’s group to start creating havoc again, especially against a rookie quarterback.
Veteran Janoris Jenkins and Davante Adams will likely battle on the perimeter most snaps, but the other Packers receivers have an opportunity for a big afternoon. The Giants cornerbacks after Jenkins are shaky, at best. Deandre Baker, Corey Ballentine and Grant Haley have all struggled. In fact, the Giants have allowed the fourth-most receiving yards and third-most touchdowns to the receiver position this season. This could be the chance for Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Kumerow and Geronimo Allison to make a big impact after a disappointing month of November.
The Giants could be down several weapons in the passing game, and projected weather conditions at MetLife Stadium might make passing the football difficult. Expect the Giants to feed the ball to second-year running back Saquon Barkley over and over. While the Giants haven’t been good running it this season, the Packers haven’t been good at stopping it, either. If the Packers limit Barkley, it’s hard to see how the Giants can do enough or score enough on offense to win.
The big story this week is the injury status of right tackle Bryan Bulaga, but the Packers also need a bounce-back performance from the interior of the offensive line. Corey Linsley and guards Elgton Jenkins and Billy Turner got manhandled by the 49ers’ talented front in San Francisco. The Giants aren’t nearly as talented on the interior, but Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, Dalvin Tomlinson and B.J. Hill are all good players. They’ll provide a good test – and a chance at redemption – for the middle of the Packers offensive line.
If there’s an intangible benefit of losing last week in San Francisco, it’s that the Packers won’t have to worry about the “trap game” idea in New York. This should be a humbled, refocused team. That said, winning on the road in the NFL is never easy, regardless of opponent. The Giants are 2-9, with a rookie quarterback under center and the 29th ranked scoring defense, but the Packers can’t fly east and expect to just roll over Pat Shurmur’s team. This should be an opportunity for a “get right” game, but the Packers must start fast, avoid self-inflicted mistakes and take full advantage of the opportunity to win a ninth game in 12 tries. They have more talent, more experience and a better quarterback. No excuses.
A couple of takeaways of Daniel Jones and 2-3 touchdowns from Aaron Jones get the Packers back on track. Keep an eye on the weather. The elements – including the wind – could play a big factor.
What to watch and who will win when the Packers face the 49ers in a pivotal NFC showdown in San Francisco on Sunday night.
The Green Bay Packers. The San Francisco 49ers. Sunday Night Football. Division leaders. Huge playoff implications.
Games don’t get bigger and more iconic in Week 12 than this.
Here are five things to watch and a prediction for Sunday night’s pivotal NFC showdown:
Assuming tight end George Kittle plays, the 49ers will have two of the game’s best at creating yards after the catch available to attack a Packers defense that has struggled to tackle people all season. Kittle is an elite athlete and arguably the toughest tight end in the NFL to tackle. Rookie receiver Deebo Samuel is tough as nails and clever after the catch. He’s produced back-to-back games with over 100 receiving yards because teams can’t tackle him in space. Throw in savvy veteran Emmanuel Sanders and a stable of capable running backs, and the 49ers can really pressure Mike Pettine’s group. The Packers need to have their best tackling performance of the season on Sunday night.
Special New Jersey BetMGM Prop Bet Special! Bet $1, WIN $100 in free bets if San Francisco QB Jimmy Garoppolo completes a pass against Green Bay on Sunday. Place your bet now!
Valid for new customers. Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.
Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith are well-known NFL players, but they both could be household names by the end of Sunday night. The primetime matchup against the 49ers offensive tackles should heavily favor the Packers, especially if left tackle Joe Staley doesn’t play. The two Smiths need to consistently hold the edge against the 49ers’ wide zone run game and also collapse the pocket and put the squeeze on Jimmy Garoppolo in the passing game. More so than anyone else, the Smiths hold the keys to a Packers victory. If they can dominate the proceedings, with timely sacks and impact pressures leading to turnover opportunities, the Packers would have a real chance at a statement win.
How will the Packers crack the code of the 49ers defense? It may take a lot of Aaron Rodgers distributing the football to Aaron Jones. He’s the one difference-making player who can slice through tiny openings and create for himself in the run game, and his elusiveness after the catch could help Rodgers find quick, easy yards against a defense that will often rush four and commit seven to coverage. It’s hard to see how the Packers will consistently line up and throw the ball downfield to receivers and tight ends. Rodgers and Matt LaFleur must stay committed to the run and featuring Jones and the running backs in the passing game. During road wins in Dallas and Kansas City, Jones produced 408 total yards and scored six touchdowns.
In Los Angeles in Week 9, the Packers offensive line lacked focus early and got overwhelmed as a group by the Chargers’ talented front, led by defensive end Joey Bosa. They rebounded with a dominant collective effort a week later against the Carolina Panthers. Which offensive line will show up Sunday night? The Packers need another strong effort against one of the NFL’s most disruptive and talented fronts in San Francisco. Although Dee Ford may not play, Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner are fully capable of wrecking the game if the Packers aren’t up to the challenge. The Packers offensive line needs to avoid pre-snap penalties, open up running lanes on early downs and help the offense stay in manageable down and distances. Oh, and keep Aaron Rodgers protected in the high leverage situations on third down and in the red zone. The offense is in the hands of the offensive line on Sunday night.
This game might come down to which team plays with more discipline at the second level. Both teams are going to stress the opposition with pre-snap motion and deception in an attempt to create that one second of indecisiveness or that one step of misdirection. Here’s the caveat: Both defenses know this type of offense, have practice defending it and should be, in theory, well prepared to react correctly to all the pre-snap and post-snap illusions. Sunday night will be an interesting chess match against two playcallers with similar philosophical foundations. Will the Packers be ready to stop one of the NFL’s most creative run offenses?
The Packers are healthy coming out of the bye, but the 49ers look like a bad matchup for Matt LaFleur’s team on both sides of the ball. Kyle Shanahan’s team can run the ball, create yards after the catch and produce explosive plays in the passing game, and they are dominant against the pass, with good coverage players and a stacked pass-rush. The Packers need to win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and get a big night from Aaron Jones to win. It’s possible, but the guess here is that the 49ers fend off an early surge from the Packers and then control the game late.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-related id=35150,35231,35245,35210,35188]
