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Predictions: New England Patriots Will Top Packers at Lambeau

By Frank OLaughlin

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Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots will battle the Green Bay Packers in what many feel is a Super Bowl preview this Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.

The Week 13 contest features two dominant quarterbacks and two high-powered offensive units. New England does hold an advantage on the defensive side of the football, but slowing the gunslinging Aaron Rodgers will be a true test of character.

Green Bay’s run defense is one of the worst in the entire NFL. They’re ranked 30th overall and struggle mightily against the run as they’ve been allowing 136.7 yards per game on the ground. Will the Patriots exploit that with LaGarrette Blount and Jonas Gray?

The Patriots boast one of the league’s best secondary units. The Packers have a dynamic duo at receiver in Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Will Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner prevail?

Our crew here at Chowder and Champions break it all down in this week’s edition of predictions.

Ryan Hilsinger’s Prediction:

This is a tough one to call. Not only are both teams red hot right now, but we’ve never seen Brady and Rodgers take the field together. So, with a clean slate, and a potential offensive shootout in Green Bay, I see one element making the difference in this matchup; rushing.

The Patriots’ ground game is on a roll right now, and whether it’s Jonas Gray, LaGarrette Blount, or Shane Vereen, I don’t see the Packers defense stopping them. Green Bay ranks 30th in the league allowing 136.7 rushing yards per game, which will allow the Pats to establish the run game early.

From there, Tom Brady will be Tom Brady, while Revis and Browner will try to shut down Jordy Nelson. As long as the front seven are able to hold Eddie Lacy in check, the Pats can sneak away with possibly their toughest win of the season.

Final Score: Patriots 42, Packers 38

Matthew Rewinski’s Prediction:

Everyone under the sun has called this weekend’s Patriots-Packers game a Super Bowl matchup, but if those types of predictions were ever right, Eli Manning wouldn’t have two Super Bowl rings and Peyton would have…well, a lot more than he does.

It’s classic Belichick to attack an opponent’s weak points, and Green Bay’s run defense this year doesn’t exactly scare anyone, even with additions like Julius Peppers and moving Clay Matthews to a different linebacker spot.  The Pack’s currently working with the 30th ranked run defense in the league, which is…well, let’s put it this way: Jacksonville is ranked 28th.  Jacksonville!!  LeGarrette Blount should get plenty of chances to take it straight up the gut, especially in short-yardage situations, and it’d make sense to put Jonas Gray back in the mix too.

Defensively, shutting down Green Bay just isn’t going to happen, but based on the last few weeks, I’d gamble on cornerback Darrelle Revis being assigned to keep shifty #2 receiver Randall Cobb in check.  The Patriots’ “bend but don’t break” defensive style should serve them well here; if you notice how many home-run balls Rodgers throws to guys like Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb after they’ve already burned their defenders, that’s the way the Packers rack up their points.  Look for Brandon Browner and the rest of the secondary to jam receivers off the line to throw timing off, too.

Green Bay’s looking good, and they’re a fantasy football gambler’s dream come true, but if New England limits the deep throws and gets to Rodgers before he starts improvising, the Patriots should leave America’s Dairyland with an even better resume than they came in with.

Final Score: Patriots 37, Packers 28

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Frank O’Laughlin’s Prediction:

I see Bill Belichick utilizing an offensive attack similar to the one that resulted in the Indianapolis Colts getting steamrolled by Jonas Gray. The Green Bay Packers’ struggle against the run is well documented as they’re currently ranked 30th in the NFL. LeGarrette Blount will get a fair share of carries after running effectively last week against a stout Detroit front. Gray will likely split carries in my opinion. Expect him and Blount to chew up clock as Aaron Rodgers is forced to stand witness on the sidelines. 

Shutting down the Packers offense will be a tall task. They have a slew of weapons, just like the Patriots have at their disposal. Rodgers will have his fair share of completions, but points won’t come as easily as they’re used to. I feel Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis will slow Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Revis will likely be deployed on Cobb. Browner, with help from McCourty over the top, will thwart Nelson just enough to limit Green Bay’s point production.

When it’s all said and done, the difference in the game will be Rob Gronkowski‘s athleticism. Gronkowski will have his way as usual. Nobody on the opposing team can match-up with him. As the Patriots establish the running game, play action will open up for guys like Gronkowski to torch Dom Cappers’ defense down the field. 

The x-factor in this contest will be the play of New England’s offensive and defensive lines. I expect them to control Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews. If so, Tom Brady will deliver the football with surgical precision against a sub-par secondary. On the flip side of things, pressure from Rob Ninkovich, Akeem Ayers, Dont’a Hightower and company, will alter Rodgers’ decision-making abilities.

Final Score: Patriots 37, Packers 24

Dylan Smith’s Prediction:

The Patriots and Packers square off in a Week 13 showdown that many are calling a potential Super Bowl preview. Both teams are on fire as of late, the Packers winning 7 out of 8 and the Patriots winning 7 straight.

The thing I would look for in Sunday afternoons game is the Packers offensive game plan, all season Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb have been causing fits for defensive coordinators. But with Revis and Browner guarding them this week it will be interesting how the Packers decide to design their offense.

For the Patriots, this will be one of their toughest tests of the season and if the past is any indication of how this matchup will turn out, we may see the Patriots steamroll yet another division leader.

 Final Score: Patriots 34, Packers 24

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