Packers offence can step up to challenge

Week 12
Sky Sports 1, 1.30am Tuesday

It used to be that Green Bay forcing their way into the playoffs was a given, but that could not be further from the truth this season.

Five defeats in their last six matches have left the Packers staring down the barrel of a gun and should they suffer defeat in Philadelphia then they will probably have to look at picking up the pieces for next season.

Their last few weeks have been a disaster. Green Bay have conceded at least 30 points in each of those five defeats, culminating in a 42-24 loss to Washington that has provoked much food for thought.

A beaten-up secondary has not helped the situation and while it would be realistic to anticipate some sort of recovery in a Monday night game in the most-watched clash of the week, injuries in defence do not help their cause.

Nor will the standard of opposition. It looked like being a season of transition for the Eagles with rookie quarterback Carson Wentz being given the reins and Doug Pederson taking his first head-coaching role.

They have performed well, however, and are unfortunate not to be more in the thick of the action in the red-hot NFC East.

They opened their campaign with three victories, including an impressive 34-3 success over an excellent Pittsburgh offence, and although they head into the game at 5-5, their defeats have come against Seattle, Detroit, Dallas, Washington and the New York Giants, all of whom had winning records going into the weekend.

Victories over Minnesota and Atlanta represent decent scalps as well.

The lowdown
Venue Lincoln Financial Field
Surface Enhanced grass
Weather Cloudy, 9C
Best handicaps Green Bay +4, Philadelphia -3.5
Points line 46.5-47.5

Team news
Green Bay
Linebacker Jake Ryan (ankle) and cornerback Demarious Randall (groin) have both been struggling this week

Philadelphia
Running back Ryan Mathews (knee) has been ruled out

Key stat
The points total has gone under the line in six of the last seven games between the teams

Their offence may struggle to stay the pace if Aaron Rodgers can direct the Packers offence efficiently, but it is still difficult to get carried away with Green Bay, even in receipt of a 4.5-point start because they have so many issues defensively.

A better way to support them would be to back them to score more than 20.5 points.

It is a do-or-die situation for the Cheeseheads, which should mean they are positive and they can cause problems for the Eagles with the return of tight end Jared Cook from injury.

They hardly have anything of a running game to rely upon since the buccaneering Eddie lacy was sidelined with injury, but Rodgers can be at his best when his back is against the wall.

The Packers are still likely to concede points, but they have surpassed the 20.5-point line comfortably in their last five matches despite their woes and they can do so against at Lincoln Financial Field.

Recommendation
Over 20.5 Green Bay points
2pts 5-6 bet365