The Green Bay Packers matchup with the New England Patriots Sunday is going to be the ultimate chess match between two of the best coaches in the NFL. While everybody is expecting a high scoring game because of the two offenses involved, I think this will be a knock-down drag out contest not decided until the final minute.
I think mastermind head coaches Bill Belichick and Mike McCarthy, the only coaches who have made the playoffs the last five years, will be able to find ways to slow each others offenses and the result will be a defensive battle. So many of these games end up being low scoring when two great offenses meet. It’s hardly ever the 48-47 thriller everybody expects.
The Packers and Patriots are almost the same team. Great quarterback, great coaching, few real superstars anywhere else. The only other real superstars are Rob Gronkowski for the Patriots and maybe Jordy Nelson or Eddie Lacy for the Packers. For the most part both teams are consistently winning because they are well coached.
Belichick and McCarthy are masters are just plugging in the next man up and continuing to win. Just look at the Patriots Jonas Gray for example. Riddled by injury at running back Gray comes in and rushes for 200 some yards and four touchdowns against the Colts two weeks ago. For a Packers example look no further than starting center Corey LInsley, the rookie takes over a week before the season opener and has played a pro bowl level ever since.
I think both teams have excellent secondaries, I think the Packers are better at linebacker but the Patriots are better on the defensive line. I think offensive lines are equal. I think the Packers have the edge at running back and wide receiver but Patriots have the clear edge at tight end.
With that said, it all comes down to quarterback. Aaron Rodgers is playing the best football of his career and is at home. Tom Brady is playing well beyond his years but I think the Packers will be able to get some pressure on him and he can’t extend the play like Rodgers can.
I don’t think either quarterback will have one of those 120-plus passer rating days. I think it will come down to turnovers and Rodgers is by far the best at not turning it over. So I’ll say that fact, along with home field advantage will lead to a hard fought 24-20 win by the Packers.