By: Tim McCarthy
The Sunday Night Football game on NBC this week features two storied franchises, the Packers and the Patriots. The biggest storyline coming into this game is the battle of the two quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. Now this, to some, is considered a debate over who is the Greatest of all time or the GOAT. Before I get into the preview and prediction, let me settle this debate in my opinion. Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever step foot on an NFL field. Aaron Rodgers is an extremely talented QB, do not get me wrong but nobody on this planet compares to Tom Brady. Listed are the NFL records Tom Brady hold
Regular season wins by a starting quarterback (201)
Most touchdowns thrown to different receivers (71)
Division titles (15)
Playoff games started (37)
Playoff wins (27)
Playoff touchdown passes (71)
Playoff passing yards (10,226)
Super Bowl appearances (8)
Super Bowl wins (5)
Super Bowl MVPs (4)
Super Bowl touchdown passes (18)
Super Bowl passing yards (2,576)
Aaron Rodgers is a fantastic quarterback who is in the conversation for top 2 quarterbacks in NFL history, but there is no conversation about who is number 1 all time. Tom Brady has accomplished so much in his storied career and him and his 5 Super Bowl rings will be for many years to come.
Now for the preview and prediction:
The Patriots enter this contest with a record of 6-2, winners of 5 straight games. The Packers enter at 3-3-1 coming off a tough loss against the undefeated Los Angeles Rams. The Patriots are coming into this game extremely banged up, as Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, and Sony Michel are all questionable to play. The Patriots will roll out whoever is healthy enough to play against a Green Bay defense that is mediocre at best. James White, who has been steady and reliable throughout his entire career, has flourished this season in the Patriots offense as he has 8 touchdowns on the year already. Tom Brady and the Patriots offense will also be without standout guard Shaq Mason as he is sitting out with a calf injury. With the injuries mounting up, that Patriots will need to get other options involved that they would normally not look to if they were at full health. For most teams, this would be a big concern potentially missing so many pieces, but for the Patriots they will be prepared to play with who they have, as they have the best coach in NFL History in Bill Belichick. The Patriots defense is coming off one of their best performances of the season in which they did not allow a touchdown, albeit against a terrible Buffalo Bills offense. The Patriots Defense also got a Pick-6 touchdown from Devin McCourty and are riding high into this showdown with Green Bay.
The Green Bay Packers are also struggling with injuries as well, as two of their top wideouts, Geronimo Allison and Randall Cobb are both questionable to play ahead of the game in Foxboro. Aaron Rodgers can play with any group of receivers however and this has been proven many times. The Green Bay offense has not looked as good this year as it has in the past yet they are still able to put up a solid number of points each week to keep themselves in the game. Green Bay's defense will be more of a mystery as they have been a suspect defense. Also, they traded away starting safety Haha Clinton-Dix before the trade deadline, which means there will most likely be poor communication in the Green Bay secondary. This game is looking like it will be a shootout.
This game is in Foxboro, where the Patriots do not lose often. Having Tom Brady, who is the GOAT, as previously mentioned also helps. I think the Patriots will win this game 38-28. For the gamblers out there (kidding, maybe), that will cover the Patriots -6 spread. Go Pats!