Packers (3-3-1) at Patriots (6-2)
W ........ Houston ........ 27-20 L ........... at Jax ........... 31-20 L ....... atDetroit ....... 26-10 W ............ Miami ............ 2-2 W ..... Indianapolis ..... 38-24 W ..... Kansas City ..... 43-40 W ...... at Chicago ...... 38-31 W ........ at Buffalo ........ 25-6 Nov.4 ...GreenBay ...8:20 Nov.11 ..atTennessee ..1 Nov. 18 ............. Bye ............. Nov.25 .... atN.Y.Jets .... 1 Dec.2...Minnesota...4:25 Dec. 9 ........ at Miami ........ 1 Dec. 16 at Pittsburgh 4:25 Dec. 23 ........ Buffalo ........ 1 Dec. 30 ...... N.Y. Jets ....... 1
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
TV: NBC
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 6
Packers’ keys to victory: QB Aaron Rodgers should be able to throw against anyone, but this Patriots secondary looks particularly vulnerable. CB Stephon Gilmore has been outstanding all season, but the rest of the secondary has struggled, particularly with tight ends. If Rodgers can make good use of TE Jimmy Graham, then the Packers should click offensively. On defense, they need to get physical with TE Rob Gronkowski. Gronk has been hampered by injuries this season and seems to struggle with physicality.
Patriots’ keys to victory: If RB Sony Michel returns from injury, he could be a weapon that keeps the ball away from Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. If Michel isn’t healthy, New England could turn to RB James White, who has emerged as an unlikely offensive centerpiece (aside from QB Tom Brady, of course). White is a threat running and catching the ball. Defensively, coach Bill Belichick surely will attempt to disguise coverages and blitzes to challenge Rodgers. If that’s not enough to slow the Packers quarterback, the Patriots will have to hope DE Trey Flowers can get pressure.
Matchup to watch: Patriots WR Josh Gordon vs. Packers CB Jaire Alexander. Alexander is blossoming into a top cornerback, but he’ll get a huge test in Gordon, who looks more comfortable in the Patriots offense by the day.
Who wins? Green Bay seemed to pick up some momentum at times in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams, but New England is a well-oiled machine.
Patriots, 34-31 Patriots