The Green Bay Packers have clawed their way back to being one of the powers in the NFC conference with two straight impressive wins following a 1-2 start to the season.
Now the question remains if they have enough left on the roster after injuries ravaged the wide receiver and linebacker positions.
A team who would love to capitalize on the Packers’ current problem and keep surprising doubters in the AFC North is the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland Browns (3-3) Analysis: For a team who supposedly gave up by trading their best player away – exchanged RB Trent Richardson for a first round draft pick from the Indianapolis Colts – the Browns are a lot better than they get credit for. If not for a 31-17 loss to the Detroit Lions last week, Cleveland would be on a four game winning streak.
The reason GM Michael Lombardi was able to get rid of Richardson and still find success is because the team’s defense is one of the best in the league. One can only wonder if the amount of pressure on the defense to carry the team is mounting up though. Inside linebackers Craig Robertson and D’Qwell Jackson looked specifically lost against Detroit, giving up 131 yards of passing offense and two touchdowns their selves (per Pro Football Focus). The pass rush wasn’t much better with only one sack of the Lions’ Matthew Stafford.
While the Browns defense ranks near the top of the league, the offense is pretty much at the bottom. Also per Pro Football Focus, quarterback Brandon Weeden was a disastrous 3-of-12 for 23 yards with two interceptions against 15 pressures last week. Brian Hoyer going down with a serious knee injury against the Buffalo Bills realistically blew up any plans the team had of competing this year. It’s really a shame because wide receiver Josh Gordon and tight end Jordan Cameron are two of the league’s budding stars.
Green Bay Packers (3-2) Analysis: The Packers opened the season with two tremendously tough road games (at San Francisco and Cincinnati) and weren’t able to escape either with a victory. They all but made up for it while becoming the first NFC team to win in Baltimore since the Carolina Panthers in 2006.
Already dealing with the significant injury to star linebacker Clay Matthews, the Packers received devastating news when wide receiver Randall Cobb was diagnosed with a fractured fibula. The team placed Cobb on the injured reserve (eligible to return) list, meaning they won’t get him back for at least eight weeks. To make matters worse, James Jones reportedly has a sprained knee. Aaron Rodgers will have to work some of his magic and make due with Jordy Nelson, Jermichael Finley and Jarrett Boykin.
Green Bay’s defense hasn’t been embarrassed by an opposing offense since the first week of the season when Colin Kaepernick went over 400 yards passing in the 49ers’ win. Last week, the return of safety Morgan Burnett was a pleasant welcome as he helped strengthen what’s already been a solid rush defense. Green Bay ranks third in the league with only 78.2 rushing yards allowed per game. No longer can you run all over the Packers who gave up 118.5 rushing yards per game in 2012.
Brutally Honest Prediction: Packers 27 Browns 10
Not only are the Packers stopping other teams from rushing, they are finally establishing a ground game themselves. Eddie Lacy took 23 carries for 120 yards in the win against the Ravens. On the season, the hard-running rookie back is averaging an impressive 4.4 yards per carry. Expect Lacy to carry the load against the Browns with Rodgers hitting the occasional deep pass to knock off the pesky Browns.
TV Coverage: CBS 3:25 PM CT; Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Solomon Wilcots (color analylst)
Betting Lines: Green Bay favored by 10.0 points and over/under at 45 points
2013 Record straight up: 4-1
2013 Record against the spread: 3-2
2013 Record in over/under: 3-2
Week 5 Pick Redux: Predicted GB 24 BAL 20 (actually GB 19 BAL 17); Hit the trifecta with straight up, spread (-1) and over/under (48.5).
Do you think the Packers can fend off the injury bug and keep their winning streak alive? Let me know by commenting below.
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. He also enjoys sharing Fantasy Advice and pretends to be a Golf expert from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best. If social media is not your thing, shoot him an email at grays@uwalumni.com.
*Pictures obtained from bleacherreport.com and yahoo.com