Week 9 NFL Picks: Green Bay Packers @ San Diego Chargers Odds and Predictions – Free NFL Picks 11/6/11

Week 9 Free NFL Picks: Green Bay Packers @ San Diego Chargers NFL Week 9 Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on FOX 11/6/11: The defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers (7-0) will try to keep their perfect season intact Sunday when the go on the road to face the San Diego Chargers (4-3). The Chargers have dropped two straight after a hot start and will need to pull off an upset of the Packers or risk falling further behind in the AFC West race. Despite playing at home, San Diego is a 5 ½-point underdog in this weekend’s matchup.

At the center of this game will be the high-powered Green Bay passing attack and the stingy San Diego pass defense. The Packers are third in the NFL in terms of passing yards per game, while the Chargers are giving up the fourth-fewest passing yards per game. Needless to say, the team that can better assert their strength will have the inside track to a victory.

Given the way Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is playing, the Packers certainly have a good chance of getting the job done. If the season ended today, Rodgers would likely be a runaway choice for MVP. He has more than 2,300 yards already and has 20 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions. The fact that he completes 71.5 percent of his passes is just icing on the cake. Rodgers is on a record-breaking pace, and there is no guarantee that the stout San Diego secondary is going to be able to slow him down.

That being said, Chargers’ QB Phillip Rivers should have a chance to put up some points of his own against a Packers’ secondary that ranks second last in the NFL in terms of yards allowed. Granted, the poor numbers are somewhat of a product of teams always playing from behind and being forced to throw. However, this is not a unit that has been able to stop the better passing attacks in the league this season.

Of course, it is up for debate whether or not the Chargers’ offense should be considered one of the better passing attacks. San Diego does rank sixth in terms of passing yards per game, but Rivers has been plagued by turnovers all season. Aside from his devastating fumble at the end of last weekend’s loss to Kansas City, he has also thrown 11 interceptions compared to just seven touchdowns. The yardage is nice, but it means nothing if he can’t finish off drives. Not to mention the fact that turning the ball over against the Packers is a recipe for a blowout.

Rivers’ issues could be exacerbated by an injury to running back Ryan Matthews. With their run game weakened, the Chargers will have to lean on Rivers. This will allow a potent Green Bay pass rush to unleash its numerous blitz packages. Rivers has been having trouble throwing the ball to the right team when he has time to set his feet and scan the field. Things could get ugly if he has to operate with a pocket that is collapsing on him.

This game really couldn’t come at a worse time for San Diego. The Chargers have lost two in a row, Matthews is banged up, and Rivers is playing with zero confidence. Meanwhile, the Packers have had a bye week to rest up and prepare. Rodgers simply has too many weapons at his disposal to be held in check, and Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews and the rest of the Green Bay defense will be chomping at the bit to take advantage of the turnover prone San Diego offense. If Rivers had his act together, this would be a potentially great game. As it stands, it will likely be a one-sided affair.

Prediction: Green Bay Packers (-5 ½) Cover the Spread

Free NFL Football Picks and Predictions: Green Bay -5.5

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