NFL Betting - Green Bay Visits San Francisco in Opener as 4.5 Point Dog
The Green Bay Packers will visit the San Francisco 49ers in the opening game for both NFC favorites this Sunday. Last year, the Packers hosted the Niners in Week One and went in as the favorites. However, the 49ers pulled off an upset win on the road and it kick-started their run to the Super Bowl. Green Bay will try to turn the tables this week. Do not count them out.
Bodog has the Packers a 4.5 point underdog as of Thursday. Moneyline is not out as of yet. Over/Under is 48.5 with both over and under -110. So what are they thinking 26-22? 27-22? Sounds like somebody will need to go for two.
We believe the game will be higher scoring than that. In the beginning of the season, the defense is typically ahead of the offense. But with Colin Kaepernick able to run and throw and with new wide out Anquan Boldin, the Niners will score. And Aaron Rodgers is simply one of the best in the game, so the Pack will find the end zone as well. So we like the over in this game.
We also are leaning towards the Packers not only covering, but also winning the game. Green Bay not only lost to the 49ers in their opener last year, but also in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs. Will they lose to them three times in a row?
When the new schedules came out, the Packers had to be salivating. They don't have to wait long for payback, they get it right away.
Here are some questions that need to be answered going into the game:
- How much will Rodgers miss Greg Jennings, who is now with the Minnesota Vikings? Look for Randall Cobb to take on a major role in the Pack offense. He is a phenomenal athlete who will remind fans of Hines Ward. Like Ward, he played some quarterback in the SEC.
- How much will the 49ers miss Michael Crabtree? The leading receiver from last year went down in OTAs with an ACL. The addition of Boldin will sure ease the suffering a bit. Vernon Davis will be counted on once again to come up with some big catches.
- How good will Kaepernick be in his second year? We have all heard of the
sophomore jinx" haven't we? That is more than superstition. Defensive coordinators have had time to study film and game plan for him now. That could work in Green Bay's favor. - Can Clay Matthews catch Kaepernick? He didn't seem to be able to in the playoffs last year. But he's had an off-season to rest up. This time around might be different.
- Does Green Bay have any running attack? They didn't a year ago and it caught up with them against the Niners. No matter how good your quarterback is, a good team can stop him if they know what's coming.
Nevertheless, we still like the Pack +4.5 and the Over -110.
We recommend SportsInteraction.com and Bodog.ca for all your betting this NFL season.
