Two of the best quarterbacks in the game today, and arguably all time, face off in a Sunday Night Football contest. Only one team brings momentum and confidence into the game, though.
Tom Brady has the New England Patriot clicking on all cylinders, shrugging off a valiant defensive effort by the Buffalo Bills to take a ho-hum 26-9 decision last week. It was their fifth straight win.
Everything is going right for the Patriots, even in the face of injuries. Brady picks apart defenses as his offensive line forms a wall around him. It would not surprise many to see New England run the table into the playoffs.
Except for the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers knows he was robbed of the opportunity to hand the Los Angeles Rams their first loss in Week 8. He knows the way to get rid of that bitter memory is to take down the mighty Patriots on national television.
Green Bay’s spirit is hard to gauge this week. The team did a good job of jettisoning Ty Montgomery after his mistake in Week 8 led to confrontations with teammates.
But the team also traded away safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, eliminating the only veteran among a talented, but youthful secondary.
Whether the trades inspire the remaining Packers to step things up or not could determine Green Bay’s playoff aspirations.
Injuries and notes
New England’s Sony Michel is expected to miss a second week, leaving the running to James White and Kenjon Barner.
Rodgers won’t have to deal with Donta Hightower either, as he has been ruled out for Sunday.
Green Bay placed defensive lineman Muhammed Wilkerson on the disabled list last week. Besides Clinton-Dix and Montgomery, everyone else is expected to play.
The team will likely add a running back to the roster before Sunday’s game.
Coaching matchup
Bill Belichick’s legend grows every week. New England emerged from their early-season funk earlier than the past two seasons and his defense is coming together faster in the first year he’s gone without a defensive coordinator.
But games like this are where his genius really comes into play. Rodgers will have to be ready for anything.
Mike McCarthy understands that a long tenure doesn’t always mean job security. The ongoing tension between Rodgers and his head coach will not diminish much after last week’s debacle.
The insinuation that McCarthy’s directions to Montgomery were ignored has been addressed with Montgomery’s trade to Baltimore. However, the issue will not help McCarthy fight off calls for his job.
How to watch the Patriots-Packers game
NBC Sports will broadcast this Sunday Night matchup across the nation’s cable, satellite, and internet TV providers.
That’s right, internet TV providers like Fubo TV, DirecTV Now, and Sling will send the live feed of Sunday Night’s football game directly to your favorite Internet-connected device.
Better yet, they will do it for a fraction of the cost, and without any expensive equipment or contracts like those required by cable and satellite companies.
Even better, you can take advantage of a trial offer to watch this game for free! Check out their websites to see everything they offer to fans in your area.
Read More: NFL Week 12 Game Preview: Patriots at Jets
Who will win the Patriots-Packers game?
Not many people will be comfortable betting against either of these quarterbacks. But the key to the game is whether the Packers swift reaction to last week’s controversy is enough to lift the spirits of Green Bay, who needs the win more than New England to keep their playoff hopes alive.
But Brady… at home… on national television…