Taproom Network

The Green Bay Packers face the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in NFL Week 9 on Sunday, 8 November (9:25pm UK time), with both teams holding 5-3 records but sitting in very different positions in their respective divisions. This week’s schedule is not blessed with great games, but Sunday’s late window has one of the better matchups.

The NFC North Standings

Despite their record, the Packers find themselves bottom of the NFC North, and the 7th seed in the playoffs. They are ranked 23rd in points scored per game (21.4) and 10th in points allowed (20.5). They have two season-defining games before their bye week in week 11, this one and at home against the Minnesota Vikings, currently the No. 2 seed.

QB Jordan Love hasn’t set the world alight, but hasn’t been terrible either. He has completed 192 of 312 passes for 2,246 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions, averaging 7.2 yards per attempt and 280.8 yards per game, ranking him 15th in the NFL.

It’s been the receiving corps who have been pretty good this season. WR Christian Watson has 42 receptions (from 66 targets) for 708 yards and six touchdowns, with Matthew Golden having 43 receptions (from 82 targets) for 619 yards and four touchdowns. TE Tucker Kraft has 35 receptions (from 49 targets) for 350 yards and three touchdowns.

The run game has been fairly non-existent this season. RB MarShawn Lloyd has 57 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 13 receptions (from 17 targets) for 79 yards and a touchdown, with his compatriot Josh Jacobs having 32 carries for only 75 yards and a touchdown, as well as 11 receptions (from 13 targets) for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

The AFC East Standings

The Patriots are second in the AFC East, and also the 7th seed in the AFC playoff picture. They rank slap in the middle at 16th for points scored (184) and 9th in points allowed (162). They also have two big games before their week 11 bye week, this one and away at the Lions, also in the NFC North.

QB Drake Maye is ranked 10th in the NFL, completing 157 of 234 passes for 1,983 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt and 247.9 yards per game. He also has 46 carries for 216 yards and three touchdowns.

Along with Maye’s rushing, RB Rhamondre Stevenson has 96 carries for 367 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 23 receptions (from 27 targets) for 212 yards and a touchdown. RB TreVeyon Henderson has 52 carries for 203 yards and a touchdown.

Their receivers have been getting their fair share of the load. WR DeMario Douglas has 26 receptions (from 37 targets) for 332 yards and four touchdowns, with Romeo Doubs having 14 receptions (from 24 targets) for 261 yards and three touchdowns. TE Hunter Henry has 29 receptions (from 34 targets) for 326 yards and two touchdowns, whilst Eli Raridon has 13 receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

Packers vs Patriots Week 9 injury news

Injuries could be the deciding factor. The official Friday injury report confirms that Green Bay will be without edge rusher Micah Parsons (knee), while New England have ruled out A.J. Brown (ankle/knee) and TreVeyon Henderson (illness). Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) and Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (knee) are questionable.

Losing Parsons is a major blow to a Packers defence facing a quarterback in Drake Maye who has been productive both through the air and on the ground. But the Patriots’ missing weapons could make it harder to take advantage. Both teams have reasons to believe they can win, which only adds to the intrigue.

Who wins and how?

Both teams need the win to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, it means more to the Packers, with everyone in their division having winning records. Both sides are fairly well matched, on paper at least, but I give the slight edge to the Patriots (not often a Dolphins fan picks the Patriots to win a game…) Patriots win by five points.

Green Bay also featured in our Packers vs Panthers preview earlier this season.