Whenever quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers face off, it is definitely a must see game. The two future hall of famers square off when the New England Patriots hosts Green Bay Packers at the Gillette Stadium in one of NFL’s week 9 fixtures on Sunday. Tom Brady is a three-time NFL MVP, four time Super Bowl MVP, five time Super Bowl Champion – the most of any quarterback, and a 13-time Pro Bowler. He’s playing well into his 40s and showing no signs of slowing down. Rodgers, also a top QB, arguably the better QB over the past few years at least, only has one Super Bowl appearance and two NFL MVP awards. Rodgers and Brady have played each other just once and that was in week 13 of 2014. The Packers won 26-21 at home behind 2 TDs and 368 yards from Rodgers while Tom Brady threw for 245 yards and 2 scores.
The Patriots will be playing in prime time for the fourth time in five weeks and a second week running and will be aiming to extend their 5 game winning streak. The last time these two met at the Patriot’s home was on December 19, 2010. That game is famous for the 71-yard kickoff return by offensive lineman Dan Connolly to the 4 yard line in the 2nd quarter which is the longest kickoff return by an OL in NFL history, topping Atlanta’s Mal Snider’s 48-yard touchdown return in 1969. The Patriot’s offence is averaging 30.6 points per game this season – the 4th most points per game in the NFL and are averaging 381.1 yards of total offence. Tom Brady has thrown for 1,876 yards, 16 TDs and 7 interceptions while Sony Michaels leads 422 rushing yards and 4TDs. Defensively, Devin McCourty leads with 30 tackles while Deatrich Wise Jr. has 3.5 sacks.
Green Bay Packers are 1-4 ATS in their last five after a loss. They suffered a gut-wrenching 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday when the Rams hit a 34-yard field goal with just 2 minutes left on the clock. The Packers are averaging 25 points per game this season, 308.1 passing yard per game, 412.1 yards of total offence which ranks them as the 5th team on the total yardage charts this season. Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 2,283 yards, 13 TDs and 1 interception while Aaron Jones has 274 rushing yards this season. Defensively Kenny Clark and Blake Martinez are tied with 4 sacks to lead the team while Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has 3 interceptions and Martinez with 34 tackles.
Team News
Marcus Cannon, Brian Schwenke and Shaq Mason missed Patriot’s week 8 game due to concussion, foot and calf injuries respectively. They are all questionable for Sunday’s game as well as Geneo Grissom, Elandon Roberts, Jacob Hollister and Dont’a Hightower.
Jimmy Graham, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison, Equanimeous St. Brown and Jermaine Whitehead are all questionable for the Packers. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had limited participation in training this week and is expected to be ready.
Verdict
The presence of arguably the two greatest quarterbacks of their generation gives this game a Super Bowl feel. It should also mean a closely contested match. This one could go either way depending on which quarterback brings his A game on the day.
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