We are already into Week 6 in the NFL with some huge match-ups on the schedule.
Top billing this week goes to Sunday’s clash between two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks as Aaron Rodgers brings his undefeated Green Bay Packers to Florida to face Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There have been a few bumps in the road for Brady since he became a Buc and his side head into this game off the back of a disappointing loss to the Chicago Bears. In contrast, Rodgers is playing as well as he ever has done and with wide receiver Davante Adams back to boost the offense, Green Bay have all the tools need to go to 5-0.
Aaron the Only Jolly Rodgers in Tampa Bay
The Packers are favoured to emerge from Florida victorious and are 10/11 to cover the spread, which they have achieved in all four of their games this season.
That isn’t a surprise when you consider the Green Bay offense is averaging 38 points per game through the 2020 season but they’ll need to work hard to maintain that average against a good Bucs defence.
While all the hype pre-season was about the arrival of Brady, it has been on the other side of the ball where Tampa Bay have shined with both their pass and run defence ranking in the top 10.
However, they recently let rookie quarterback Justin Herbert and a banged-up Los Angeles Chargers offense put 31 points on them, and the Packers are certainly a better team than the Bolts.
This has the potential to turn into a shoot out with over 55 points priced at 25/27 and if the game goes that way then Brady might struggle to keep up.
The six-time Super Bowl winner is still putting up decent numbers, ranking fifth with 12 touchdowns passes, but doesn’t look as dependable as Rodgers, a potentially deciding factor in only the third meeting between the quarterback greats.
Browns Out to Break Steelers Hoodoo
The AFC North title fight is set up to be a three-way tussle and two of those contenders clash in Pittsburgh on Sunday when the Browns seek to extend their four-match winning run against the unbeaten Steelers.
This iteration of the Browns has given a downbeat franchise a new lease of life, putting up 30 or more points in four straight games for the first time since 1968. The goal now for Cleveland is snapping a 17-year losing run in Pittsburgh, which will be easier said than done.
This game has plenty of spice with the clash last year ending in controversy when the Browns’ Myles Garrett used his helmet as a weapon to attack Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph so expect some big hits come gametime.
These two sides appear evenly matched on paper with both having looked strong along the defensive line, while the offenses have sparkled in recent weeks.
The Steelers are four-point favourites at 10/11 but have a few concerns on offense with JuJu Smith Schuster and Diontae Johnson doubtful, while Cleveland have worries of their own as quarterback Baker Mayfield battles a rib injury.
With a result so hard to call and the total points having gone over in 75 per cent of both team’s games this season, taking over 50.5 points at 25/28 might be the safe option.
49ers Ground Game Presents LA Issues
The San Francisco 49ers suffered a Sunday to forget against the Miami Dolphins in Week 5 and they now face a tough trip to Los Angeles to face the Rams.
The Rams moved to 4-1 last week but their record has been helped by playing all of the teams from a hapless NFC East and in their only true test of the season they were beaten by the Buffalo Bills.
While suggesting a Niners victory is a stretch given all their injuries and not knowing who will start at quarterback, they have the tools needed to cover a three-point spread at 25/27.
The Rams have struggled to stop opponents running the ball against them so far this year and the 49ers are well-stocked at running-back, while head coach Kyle Shanahan is a master of confusing defences.
Defeat for the reigning NFC Champions is unthinkable as it would leave them at 2-4, so expect a much-improved San Fran for this intriguing divisional clash.
*All odds correct at time of writing