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Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers were nearly able to hand the Los Angeles Rams their first loss of the season last week. It was a performance that has given the team a lot of confidence heading into their Week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football.
Before last week's game against the Rams, the Packers were viewed as a major underdog. No one gave them a chance to have that kind of game against the NFL's best team. Perhaps the best part of the game was the fact that the team's success did not solely rely on the arm of Rodgers.
Defensively, the Packers showed a lot of strength and determination to prove themselves. Green Bay sacked Jared Goff five times throughout the course of the game and made multiple plays in the secondary. Rookie cornerback Jaire Alexander came through with a big performance, recording five defended passes and seven tackles.
New England may not have the record that the Rams have, but they are one of the best teams in the NFL. Tom Brady is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game and he has plenty of weapons to work with.
Green Bay will have a chance to exploit the Patriots' defense. New England is ranked No. 28 in total defense this season as well as No. 29 against the pass. Rodgers has big potential for a massive performance this week.
Mike McCarthy and company have to feel good about their chances. If they play a similar game to the one they played last week, there is a good chance that they will leave with a big win.
All of that being said, what bold predictions can be made for the Packers heading into their Sunday evening clash with the Patriots?
5. Aaron Jones Racks Up 125 Rushing Yards
Last week, the Packers saw Aaron Jones start the game in the backfield, rushing for 86 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown. This week, the Packers are going to ask even more of Jones with Ty Montgomery no longer on the roster. Jones will take advantage of his expanded role with at least 125 rushing yards in the game.
Jamaal Williams may cut into some of Jones' carries, but at this point it is obvious that the Packers know Jones is their best running back and should receive the bulk of the carries.
4. Green Bay Will Force at Least Three Turnovers
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was one of the players traded ahead of the NFL trade deadline. While many believe that it is going to be harmful to the Packers' defense, they still have plenty of players ready to step up and make plays.
Looking at the secondary that remains on the Packers' roster, Green Bay will be just fine. Josh Jones can step up and earn more playing time, and veteran cornerback Tramon Williams has also been given some looks at safety. Williams sliding over to safety might very well give Bashaud Breeland a chance to get on the field for the Packers.
Very few teams have the amount of talent that the Packers have in the secondary. That should lead to a game where Green Bay can force a few errors by the Patriots. If the Packers can get a little pressure on Brady, three turnovers is more than possible.
3. Marquez Valdes-Scantling Goes for 130 and Two TDs
Over the past few weeks, the Packers have been very pleased with the development of rookie wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. He has been playing good football and has been earning Rodgers' trust.
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So far in his rookie season, Valdes-Scantling has caught 14 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns. He is going to have a big game against the Patriots.
Standing in at 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds, there are very few defensive backs that stand a chance against him. In addition to his size, he possesses top-notch athleticism and speed. That has given Rodgers the kind of target that he has been missing with Jordy Nelson no longer on the roster.
Valdes-Scantling is going to be a major x-factor this week for the Packers. He is going to have a breakout performance against New England with 130 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
2. Aaron Rodgers Throws for 300 Yards, Four Touchdowns
As usual, the Packers are going to be leaning heavily on Aaron Rodgers this week. He always seems to deliver in big games and that will be the case once again this week.
Rodgers will dominate the Patriots' secondary for 300 yards and four touchdowns. New England has struggled against the pass this season and a quarterback like Rodgers will pick them apart.
Green Bay's offense got going last week against a strong Rams' defense. New England has nothing close to that kind of pass rush or secondary talent, which should lead to another big game for Rodgers and the Packers.
1. Green Bay Comes Out With a 10-Point Win
Fans are going to get exactly what they want out of this matchup. Both teams are going to leave everything they have on the field and two of the best quarterbacks of all-time are going to put on a show.
Offensively, the Packers and Patriots are fairly evenly matched. Green Bay has big-time weapons, while the Patriots have just as many players capable of going off for a big game. On the defensive side of the football, the Packers hold the advantage.
Green Bay has a lot of young talent, but they are more than capable of stepping up. Brady and the Patriots are going to put up numbers, but the Packers are going to make more plays defensively.
The game will come down to the final few possessions, but Green Bay will find a way to pull out a huge 10-point win when everything is said and done.
