Thursday Night Football features a matchup of NFC teams as the Green Bay Packers (5-2) and the San Francisco 49ers (4-4) will square off from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Kickoff for this one is scheduled for 8:20 pm ET.
Both of these teams are coming off of losses on Sunday. For the Packers, they dropped a 28-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
In the loss, the Packers had no answer for Dalvin Cook, who had 226 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. They will try to regroup against the 49ers on the short week.
For the 49ers, they lost to the Seattle Seahawks 37-27 on Sunday. The score makes it seem closer than it really was as they were trailing by 20 entering the last quarter.
The worst part of the loss was the injuries suffered as the 49ers lost both starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle to injury. Both are expected to miss at least six weeks with their respective injuries.
The Packers come into this one as the favorites despite playing on the road. The moneyline features the Packers -215 to win while the 49ers are +180. The spread sits at +3.5 for San Francisco.
Green Bay Looks To Bounce Back
After a disappointing loss to the Vikings, the Packers are hoping to bounce back against the injury-depleted 49ers. Despite the loss Sunday, the Packers are still in first in the NFC North and would like to keep it that way.
Leading the way under center is quarterback Aaron Rodgers. On the season, Rodgers has thrown for 1,948 yards, 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions. His favorite receiver, Davante Adams, has caught 43 passes for 502 yards and seven scores.
On the ground is where the Packers have some concern. Star running back Aaron Jones was held out last week and is questionable for Thursday. AJ Dillon tested positive for COVID-19 after the game Sunday, leaving Jamal Williams as the only healthy running back for the Packers. This season, Wiliams has rushed 68 times for 294 yards and a touchdown.
49ers Look For Answers
The 49ers are in a tough spot and, given how deep and talented their division is, it could be the beginning of the end for San Francisco. Still, they will look to get above .500 again on Thursday against a solid Packers team.
To do so, they will turn to backup quarterback Nick Mullens. After coming in on Sunday, Mullens threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns. If he can put up a similar performance, the 49ers might be able to make a game of it.
On the receiving end, with George Kittle out, Brandon Aiyuk leads the way for the 49ers. On the season, he has 28 receptions for 371 yards and two touchdowns.
On the ground, it will likely be Jerick McKinnon getting the bulk of the work on Thursday. Their lead back, Raheem Mostert, is on injured reserve, and Tevin Coleman, who had just returned from injury, suffered a knee injury Sunday. This season, McKinnon has rushed 47 times for 209 yards and four touchdowns.
Packers Win And Cover
There just isn’t a whole lot to like with San Francisco right now. Their quarterback (Garappolo) is out, their best receiver (Kittle) is out, and their starting running back (Raheem Mostert) is out.
Throw on top of that the fact that they are selling off parts as they traded linebacker Kwon Alexander to the Saints on Monday, and this team looks like it could be in for a tough one Thursday night.
Granted, the Packers have to bounce back, too, after their dismal performance Sunday. However, the 49ers don’t have anyone nearly as talented as Cook, and the Packers’ defense should have a better showing. For my money, I am taking Green Bay not only to win but to cover the 3.5 points as well.
