NFL
By Monte Perez
3-3 Green Bay Packers @ 2-4 Washington Commanders:
Time: 1 PM Eastern
TV: Fox
Betting Line: Packers favored by 4 points.
Aaron Rodgers came out this week and said, “The offense needs to be simplified” Head coach Matt LaFluer responded by saying, “ I don’t know what he means but we will look into it.” There is now a disconnect between Rodgers and LaFluer. There is also a disconnect between Ron Rivera and Carson Wentz. With Wentz recovering from surgery, Taylor Heinick will be the starter. This does not bode well for the Commanders. The Packers do one thing well and that is defend against the pass. Green Bay is #1 in the NFL, only giving up 164 passing yards per game.
This should be an ugly game to watch. The Packers offense is 16th in passing yards, 13th in rushing yards, and 24th in scoring. They are only averaging 17.8 points per contest. If the Packers lose this game, look for Aaron Rodgers to be even more of a malcontent in the locker room and on the sidelines.
Prediction:
Packers 20… Commanders 17
2-4 Pittsburgh Steelers @ 3-3 Miami Dolphins:
Time: 8:25 PM Eastern
TV: NBC
Betting Line: Dolphins favored by 7 points.
Before Tua Tagovailoa got injured, the Dolphins offense was clicking on all cylinders. Tua completed 69% of his passes and has 9 total touchdowns and Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle were the best WR duo in the NFL. Without Tua, this unit has not been the same. Defensively, this team has struggled to get off the field, They are giving up 375 yards per game and giving up a first down 44% of the time on 3rd down.
The Steelers surprised the NFL world last week when they upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 20-18. Pittsburgh’s offense even with Kenny Pickett as their starter has struggled on every level. They are 30th in total yards, 25th in passing yards, and 30th in points per game. This team has talent at the skill position but they can not protect their quarterback. Mike Tomlin’s team takes another step backward.
Prediction:
Tua gets Miami back on track: Dolphins 30… Steelers. 20
3-3 Atlanta Falcons @ 3-3 Cincinnati Bengals:
Time: 1 PM Eastern
TV: Fox
Betting Line: Bengals are favored by 6.5
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 28-14 last weekend. Marcus Mariota was the NFC offensive player of the week. He had 3 total touchdowns, completed 90% of his passes, and rushed 6 times for 50 yards. This offense is a throwback to the 1980s. They run the ball 52% of the time and pass 48% of the time. Their offensive line is ranked #1 in rushing but 19th in passing by Pro Football Focus. If the Falcons can stay out of 3rd and long situations, they can win this game.
The Bengals have started the season with a Super Bowl hangover. They appear to be out of sync and do not have an identity on offense. Cincy is only averaging 89 rushing yards per game. This was an organization that spent a lot of money in rebuilding their offensive line but they have been average so far in protecting Joe Burrow and creating holes. Joe Mixon only has 387 rushing yards in 6 games.
Prediction:
The Bengals found something last week in their victory over the Saints,30-26. That continues on Sunday.
Cincy… 27… Falcons 23
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