These two teams met two years ago in the NFC Championship Game, and both are trendy picks for this year’s championship game, even after the egg the Packers laid in Week 1 against New Orleans.
Green Bay Packers
“There’s so many overreactions that happen from a week-to-week basis. So it’s nice to come out, have a good performance and get the trolls off our back for at least one week.”
Aaron Rodgers is right, of course. The nature of the NFL is week-to-week, and the reactions, and overreactions, follow suit. And a week ago, the Packers looked like a team in total disarray who should have cut bait with their Hall of Fame quarterback.
Not to overreact too much the other way, but after a Week 2 win, the Packers look exactly like they did last year – like a favorite to win the conference.
Las Vegas oddsmakers, however, are reacting too slowly to the changing narrative surrounding Green Bay and have the Packers as 3.5-point underdogs heading into Sunday’s game. Yes, they are missing a few key members from last year’s offensive line, but this is essentially the same team that was within a score of going to the Super Bowl eight months ago. Monday night, they looked like it.
They shouldn’t be an underdog.
San Francisco 49ers
Niners fans think they are the deserved favorite. They are 2-0 and at home and also put up big points against the Detroit Lions.
The problem is that the Lions countered with big points of their own, and San Francisco was holding on at the end to withstand a furious comeback by Jared Goff. Then the next week, the 49ers struggled offensively, began the game with three consecutive three-and-outs, and had to slug their way to an ugly win in Philadelphia.
Not to overreact to week-to-week results, but the San Francisco offense misses Raheem Mostert and simply isn’t that dynamic with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback. There are also real doubts that they could keep up with an offense like Green Bay’s if it came to that.
The 49ers are missing last year’s defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, as well as passing game coordinator Mike LeFleur, who both went to the Jets. Assistant coaching losses are often ignored by fans, but in reality, that can make a big difference, and they are in San Francisco.
Betting Picks
Packers (+3.5)
The real Aaron Rodgers is the guy who threw four touchdown passes on Monday night. And we all know that Rodgers plays with a chip on his shoulder. The very first chip belongs to the 49ers, who all those years ago passed on drafting the local Northern California quarterback, letting him slide all the way to Green Bay.
A still ticked-off Rodgers leads the Packers to the win.
Over 48.5
The Packers will get into the high 20s, low 30s, as Rodgers has another big day. The 49ers will score between 21 and 24 points and put this game over the 48.5 line.