The Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings on “Thursday Night Football,” kicking off at 8:25 p.m. ET. Green Bay opened as a 10-point favorite, but the line has come down a little bit since then. According to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com, the line is anywhere from -7.5 to -9 in Green Bay?s favor.
Green Bay has controlled this series in recent years, going 4-1 against the spread and 4-0-1 straight up in its last five home games against the Vikings. The last time these two met last November, the game ended in a 26-26 tie.
The point total is sitting at 48 points. The total has gone over in 10 of the last 13 games between these two teams.
The big question mark for this game is the status of Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. He sat out Monday and Tuesday practice sessions, but then got in a limited workout on Wednesday during the Vikings’ final walkthrough. He is listed as questionable for the game, and appears to be a game-time decision. If he is unable to play, Christian Ponder would get the start.
Green Bay does not have any significant new issues on the injury front. Clay Matthews is listed as probable with a groin injury. This is an ongoing injury that Matthews has been able to play through. Additionally, Jarrett Boykins remains out with a groin injury of his own. Davante Adams will once again handle the No. 3 wide receiver role.
The New England Patriots host the Cincinnati Bengals this week on “Sunday Night Football.” The Patriots opened as 2.5-point favorites, but sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com have brought it down to as low as a pick’em. Cincinnati is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games against New England, and 4-2 ATS in the last six games in Foxborough. The OddsShark Computer prediction has Cincinnati claiming a 36.2-28.2 win.
The Patriots and Bengals got their first practice sessions in on Wednesday. The Patriots have no significant injuries of note, but they do welcome back two players from suspension: Cornerback Brandon Browner and wide receiver Brian Tyms are back at practice. Browner will compete to start opposite Darrelle Revis, but might take a couple weeks to get fully back in game shape. Tyms is farther down the depth chart, but could make an impact on a team with some question marks at wide receiver.
Photo via Mike DiNovo/USA TODAY Sports
