Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
The Green Bay Packers will hit the highway with an NFL week 1 pro football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
This game will kick off from Philadelphia at 4:15PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by FOX Television.
The betting line opened up with the home team Philadelphia Eagles opening up as 1 point favorites with the over under coming in at 47.
The early money from the NFL betting public has come on the side of the road team as the Green Bay Packers are now favored by 3 points. The total saw movement upward to a current over under of 47 ½.
Money line bettors on the side of the favored Green Bay Packers will lay -155 odds with the home underdog Philadelphia Eagles bringing back +135 to pull off the victory without the need for taking the points.
The teams are meeting for the first time since 2007 where the Packers earned a 16-13 victory as a 3 ½ point home underdog. Both clubs faced the Cowboys last season with Green Bay earning a 17-7 home victory and with the Eagles losing all three games with Dallas.
The Packers were an explosive offense averaging 379 yards and over 28 points per game.
Starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers is coming off an excellent season hitting on just under 65% of his passes with 4434 yards 30 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. In the teams playoff game with Arizona Rodgers torched the Cardinals defense for 423 yards and 4 touchdowns and a pick on the road in a very hostile domed stadium.
Running back Ryan Grant had solid season in 2009 with 1253 yards on 282 carries with 0 fumbles and 11 touchdowns. Grant’s poor production in 2008 could be a result of a hamstring problem he played through.
Rodgers top two targets are back in Greg Jennings and Donald Driver who combined for nearly 2200 yards receiving with 10 touchdowns. Third year pro Jermichael Finley at tight end had a break out season in 2009 with 55 catches and 5 touchdowns for a 12.3 yards per reception average which is very good for his position.
Green Bay was the number two defense in 2009 allowing just 284 yards per game. Their secondary was solid as they led the league with 30 interceptions which contributed to a +24 turnover differential that led the league.
There are some concerns in the secondary for the Packers as cornerback Al Harris hit the PUP list along with safety Atari Bigby. They will be without 2009 starting defensive end Johnny Jolly who faces a drug charge.
With Donovan McNabb traded to the Washington Redskins it will be four year pro Kevin Kolb starting under center. McNabb went down in week 1 last year and Kolb saw action early. In two starts Kolb was 1-1 and hit on 55 of 85 yards for 718 yards four touchdowns and three interceptions in a home loss to New Orleans and a home win against Kansas City.
The team said goodbye to longtime running back Brain Westbrook who faced injury problems the past few seasons. Second year back LeSean McCoy in 2009 had 637 yards rushing on 155 carries with 4 touchdowns. He is a threat out of the backfield with 40 catches. Veteran Leonard Weaver is the backup and he produced a respectable 4.6 yards a carry average in 2009.
The Eagles are talented in their receiving position behind youngsters DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Jason Avant is a solid #3 option for the Eagles. Jackson is a big play threat with an outstanding 18.6 yards per reception average on 62 receptions last season. Tight end Brent Celek was second on the club in 2009 with 76 catches and 8 touchdowns.
The Eagles were 12th in the NFL in total defense allowing 321 yards last season. Philadelphia can get to the quarterback as they finished 2009 with 44 sacks ranking third in the league. Look for the Eagles to bring heavy pressure here as Rodgers is a quarterback who takes sacks.
Philadelphia is healthy entering the season with no injuries reported to their starters.
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NFL Trend: Philadelphia Eagles are 7-2 ATS in their past 9 meetings
Tags: betting, fox tv, green bay packers, nfl, Odds, Philadelphia eagles, pick, preview, pro football, september 12th 2010, sunday
