Green Bay Packers vs. Washington Commanders Preview (10/23/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart
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After two straight losses to New York teams dropped them to 3-3, the Packers head to our nation’s capital to take on the 2-4 Commanders. The Commanders will have extra rest coming off an unimpressive Thursday night 12-7 win versus the Bears. Let’s preview the upcoming matchups, depth charts, and injuries to see who wins in Title Town vs. our nation’s capital.
Green Bay Packers Vs. Washington Commanders Betting Odds
The Packers are favored by -4.5 over the Commanders +4.5. The Commanders are home underdogs at the dismal FedEx Field. The over/under is set at a lowish 42 given that neither team has been able to put up significant offensive production lately.
Green Bay Packers Vs. Washington Commanders Prediction
Taylor Heinicke will take over the starting quarterback role for the Commanders with Carson Wentz set to miss 4-6 weeks from a fractured finger. The Commanders will have to hope for Heinicke to provide some sort of spark which the offense behind Wentz has lacked most of the season. If Heinicke can’t provide a spark, they should look to rookie RB Brian Robinson, who came back less than two months after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to his leg to score the game winning touchdown against the Bears. Robinson’s inspiring story and return is a great motivation for the team. On defense, the Commanders are still waiting for the return of former Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young from his ACL injury while CB William Jackson III is in trade talks.
The Packers are coming off two losses to two of last year’s worst teams. The Packers performance so far has indicated that while other teams have progressed and improved, Green bay has taken a step back from being the #1 seed in the NFC last year. The Packers offense does not look the same without WR Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers isn’t playing up to his MVP pedigree of the last two years. Aaron Rodgers has even publicly stated his wishes for offensive changes–wanting to simplify the offense. Defensively, the Packers pass defense tops the league while their run defense is bottom five. Their previous game versus the Jets highlighted this as they held QB Zach Wilson to just 110 passing yards, but Jets running back Breece Hall was able to go for 116 yards rushing.
I expect the Packers to change course and break their two game skid with a win over the struggling Commanders. Taylor Heinicke is starting his first game of the season and will have to go up against a tough Packers defense while Aaron Rodgers should be able to take advantage of a weak Commanders defense.
Prediction: Packers 23-16, Under hits.
Betting Trends
- Packers are 13-4 ATS in their last 17 games on grass
- Over is 5-0 in Packers last 5 vs. a team with a losing record
- Commanders are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win
Key Injuries
Green Bay Packers Injuries: Christian Watson (Q), Randall Cobb (Q), Jake Hanson (Q), Kylin Hill (Q)
Washington Commanders Injuries: Jahan Dotson (Q), Percy Butler (Q), Jonathan Williams (Q), Samuel Cosmi (Q), Logan Thomas, TE (Q), William Jackson III (Q), Carson Wentz (O), Josh Drayden (Q), John Bates (Q), Curtis Hodges (Q), Chase Young DE (Q)
Key Matchups
Check out the key matchups and mismatches for Commanders vs Packers below.
Commanders Receiving Corps vs Packers Secondary
One of the Commanders strengths definitely lies in their receiving corps. With dynamic playmakers in WRs Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, Curtis Samuel, Jahan Dotson, and TE Logan Thomas, the Commanders offense should be way more explosive than it has been. All these players have shown big playmaking ability, but this potential is not reflected on the scoreboard. They do have a tough matchup against the Packers who carry the #1 pass defense in the league. The Packers will rely on their top CB duo in Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes to keep the Commanders playmakers in check.
Putting on a coverage clinic.
Larry McCarren breaks down Jaire Alexander's tape in this edition of the Rock Report 🎥@DuluthTradingCo | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/oF3jFTMdQx
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 18, 2022
Packers Run Offense vs Commanders Run Defense
Another unexpected aspect of the Packers offensive slump has been the run game. With a RB tandem as strong as A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones, we would expect the Packers to have a strong ground game. Instead, their rush attack only ranks 13th and ran for just 60 yards versus the Jets last week. Fortunately for the Packers they have a favorable matchup against the 8th worst ranked Commanders run defense. In their most recent matchup versus the Bears, they gave up an outlandish 238 rushing yards. The Packers have a great opportunity to try and get their run game going versus this weak Commanders run defense.
Green Bay Packers Depth Chart
QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: A.J. Dillon
LWR: Romeo Doubs
RWR: Randall Cobb
SWR: Allen Lazard
TE1: Marcedes Lewis
Washington Commanders Depth Chart
QB: Carson Wentz
RB1: Antonio Gibson
RB2: J.D. McKissic
LWR: Terry McLaurin
RWR: Jahan Dotson
SWR: Curtis Samuel
TE1:Logan Thomas
