Thursday night\u2019s game isn\u2019t quite a must-win for the Philadelphia Eagles, but it\u2019s close. The Philadelphia Eagles would drop to 1-3 with a loss to the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field on Thursday night, damaging their playoff hopes in the crowded NFC. That has led to Alshon Jeffery and others returning from injury earlier than expected to get the Eagles back to .500 before an October stretch that includes a home tilt with Minnesota and road trips to Dallas and Buffalo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Green Bay was favored by as many as five points earlier in the week, but the NFL betting odds<\/a> have shifted towards the visitors. Philadelphia dropped all the way down to +3.5 before a small buyback led to the line settling at four. The total has seen similar movement, opening at 47.5 and plunging down to 45 points before rebounding somewhat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re only three weeks into the season, but the Green Bay Packers are very banged up. The 3-0 Packers placed guard Lane Taylor on injured reserve on Monday, and there are 10 other players that are listed on the injury report. Linebackers Za\u2019Darius Smith, Blake Martinez, and Kyler Fackrell are questionable, and Oren Burks is doubtful. Defensive tackles Kenny Clark and Montravius Adams, offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga, safety Will Redmond, tight end Jimmy Graham, and wide receiver Jake Kumerow are questionable as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Philadelphia placed offensive tackle Jordan Mailata on injured reserve, and defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan and cornerback Ronald Darby have both been ruled out. Wide receiver Desean Jackson is doubtful with an abdominal injury, while both defensive tackle Derek Barnett and running back Corey Clement are questionable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt LaFleur was supposed to kickstart Green Bay\u2019s offense, but that hasn\u2019t happened. The Packers are 3-0, but the offense has not produced great results, and Green Bay is currently 28th in the NFL in total offense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aaron Rodgers hasn\u2019t been bad, but he hasn\u2019t been the Rodgers of old either. He is averaging just 215.7 yards per game so far this season, and he is throwing for seven yards per attempt. Rodgers has yet to turn the ball over and is making good decisions, but more was expected without Mike McCarthy on the sidelines. However, there are reasons to think the over on his NFL player props<\/a> are a good play here, so keep reading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The running game hasn\u2019t been superb as well. LaFleur has committed to the run more than his predecessor, but neither Aaron Jones nor Jamaal Williams have had much success. Green Bay is running the ball 26 times per game on average, but the Packers are averaging only 3.4 yards per carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With Jernigan out and Barnett injured, Fletcher Cox is likely to be double-teamed up front often. Cox is one of the best defensive tackles in the game, and he can both stuff the run and get to the quarterback. Opponents are averaging just 2.9 yards per carry against Philadelphia this season, so Green Bay is unlikely to do much better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rodgers should put up great numbers through the air. Philadelphia\u2019s secondary is suspect for the second straight season, and the Eagles are allowing opponents to throw for 293.7 yards per game. The loss of Darby is big too as he is the team\u2019s top cornerback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting Jeffery back in the lineup will be a big boost for a Philadelphia team that didn\u2019t have many playmakers available during its surprising loss to Detroit last week. Carson Wentz could only complete a shade over 50 percent of his passes, and the team\u2019s leading receiver on the day was rookie running back Miles Sanders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeffery was targeted six times in the season opener, and he stands to see even more passes given the state of Philadelphia\u2019s receiving corps. Nelson Agholor posted some nice stats against the Lions, but he isn\u2019t a No. 1 option, and Wentz wants someone he can trust. Jeffery is a favorite target in the red zone, so some NFL game props<\/a> might be a good look. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sanders is the team\u2019s leading rusher this year, and he has shown more explosive ability than free agent signing Jordan Howard. The rookie has seen more carries, but Howard has the better average, leading to the duo splitting time in the Eagles backfield. However, these two backs are averaging just 3.5 yards per carry between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Packers defense has been surprisingly stingy this season under Mike Pettine. Green Bay leads the NFL in turnovers forced, and the Packers are conceding just 11.7 PPG. Advanced stats aren\u2019t nearly as bullish on Green Bay though, so some regression is in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under is the play here. Both offenses should be somewhat one-dimensional, and Rodgers lukewarm start to the season has me believing he won\u2019t burn this bet single-handedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get the latest NFL football odds and information–follow BetOnline.ag on Twitter<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\nINJURY REPORT<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHEN GREEN BAY IS ON OFFENSE<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHEN PHILADELPHIA IS ON OFFENSE<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
PREDICTION<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n