The Green Bay Packers visit the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 8, with both teams looking to build on Week 8 victories. Green Bay is 5-3 after beating Carolina 27-19 on Thursday night, while New England improved to 5-3 with a 24-19 comeback victory over Miami. Kickoff at Gillette Stadium is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX.
The matchup puts Jordan Love’s productive passing attack against a Patriots team benefiting from Drake Maye’s downfield ability and mobility. Green Bay has won four of its last five games, but protecting Love and containing Maye outside the pocket present significant challenges against an unbeaten home team.
Packers vs. Patriots Odds
Packers: +3
Patriots: -3
Over: 46.5
Under: 46.5
Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Packers vs. Patriots Key Injuries
Green Bay’s receiving concerns begin with Christian Watson, who is listed as questionable with a rib injury after briefly leaving last week’s victory over Carolina. Guard Sean Rhyan and tackle Travis Glover also carry early-week questionable listings with ankle and knee injuries, respectively. Their availability matters for an offense relying heavily on Love’s passing production.
The Packers remain without Micah Parsons, who is on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from an ACL injury. Matt LaFleur indicated that Parsons could need most of his 21-day practice window before returning to the active roster. Linebacker Zaire Franklin is also questionable with a shin injury, adding another concern against Maye’s scrambling ability.
New England’s offensive injury list is extensive. Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins are unavailable on injured reserve, while AJ Brown is managing knee and ankle issues. Hunter Henry is questionable with a foot injury, and TreVeyon Henderson carries an illness designation. Edge rusher Gabe Jacas is also questionable with a knee injury. Those early-week listings are not substitutes for final game designations.
Packers Betting Trends
Green Bay has covered the spread in five consecutive games, and the under has hit in each of those contests. The Packers covered as both favorites and underdogs during that stretch, including their three-point loss at Detroit as 3.5-point underdogs. Their recent competitiveness makes the points worth considering in another closely priced matchup.
Love’s production provides the offensive foundation. He averages 280.8 passing yards per game and has thrown 16 touchdown passes despite limited support from the running game. That puts considerable responsibility on his ability to recognize pressure and generate completions without repeatedly exposing the offense to negative plays.
The defense has also improved. Green Bay has allowed 14.6 points per game over its last five outings, the NFL’s third-lowest average during that stretch. That performance helps explain the recent run of unders, although Maye’s willingness to attack downfield creates a different challenge than simply limiting routine completions.
Patriots Betting Trends
New England has failed to cover in three consecutive games, while the over has hit in each of its last five.
The Patriots’ home record offers a stronger reason for confidence. New England is 3-0 at Gillette Stadium, and Maye enters Week 9 with 15 touchdown passes, a 100.4 passer rating and an average of 8.5 yards per attempt. His ability to create explosive gains gives the Patriots a route to scoring even when drives do not unfold cleanly.
Maye demonstrated that versatility against Miami. He completed 16 of 20 passes, threw two touchdown passes and ran for the go-ahead score as New England recovered from a 13-3 halftime deficit. However, his eight interceptions this season leave an opening for a Green Bay defense playing increasingly disciplined football.
Keys to the Matchup
Article Continues BelowGreen Bay must protect Love without abandoning opportunities downfield. Elijah Ponder and Jacas have combined for nine sacks and 19 quarterback hits, although Jacas’ knee injury requires monitoring. Quick completions and timely protection help would reduce the risk of the Packers repeatedly facing long-yardage situations.
New England needs to keep Maye’s mobility productive rather than reckless. Green Bay must maintain disciplined rush lanes, while Maye needs to avoid turning extended plays into unnecessary sacks or forced throws. His willingness to hold the ball creates opportunities for both explosive gains and defensive mistakes to become turnovers.
The availability of Watson, Brown and Henry could reshape the passing matchup. If New England remains short-handed, Demario Douglas becomes particularly important after leading the team with 332 receiving yards and four touchdown catches through eight games. Green Bay must prevent him from turning short completions into sustained drives.
Packers vs. Patriots Prediction and Pick
The Patriots should remain competitive behind Maye’s playmaking and their strong home performance, but Green Bay’s recent defensive improvement makes a comfortable New England victory difficult to project. The Packers also benefit from extra preparation time after playing Thursday night.
Love gives Green Bay enough passing production to challenge New England, and the Packers’ recent consistency against the spread supports taking the points. In a matchup likely to remain within one possession, Green Bay’s defensive form provides the narrow edge.
Prediction: Packers 24, Patriots 23