The NFL Sunday Night Football week five free pick has the New York Giants (2-2) at the Green Bay Packers (2-1). The game is scheduled for an 8:30 pm kickoff in Green Bay at Lambeau Field. The Giants won their first two games of the 2016 NFL season, beating the Dallas Cowboys 20-19 and the New Orleans Saints 16-13. They then lost two straight. The Giants first lost to the Washington Redskins 29-27, and last week they were beaten by the Minnesota Vikings 24-10.
The Green Bay Packers are coming off their bye-week. Before the break, the Pack beat the Detroit Lions 24-17. They also won their first game, which was against the Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-23. In between those two wins was their loss, which was to the still undefeated Minnesota Vikings. They were beaten 17-14.
New York Offense vs. Packers D
QB Eli Manning (66.4 COMP%, 4 TDs, 4 INTs, 6 Sacks, 4 FMBL) is, thus far, having an average season at best. What may be making Manning’s life a tad difficult is that his primary receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. (22 REC, 303 YDs, 13.8 AVG, 0 TDS) has not yet had a touchdown. Beckham is usually good for around a dozen TD catches per season. The running game has been decent, but not great. This is partly due to the absence of RB Rashad Jennings (31 ATT, 102 YDs, 3.3 AVG, 0 TDs.). Jennings is injured and is listed as questionable for tonight’s game. RBs Shane Vereen and Orleans Darkwa have done well, respectively averaging 4.7 YPA and 4.3 YPA. The Giants are averaging just 18.3 PPG.
They are going up against a defense that will be thin in the secondary, as corner Sam Shields is out and corner Damarious Randall is questionable. Despite being down in the secondary, the Packers should be able to mount a decent defense against the Giants. This is a club that has 10 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss. Premium Packer LB Nick Perry will put some heat on Manning and look to control the Giants’ running game.
Green Bay Offense vs. Giants Defense
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers (58.5 COMP%, 7 TDs, 1 INT, 8 Sacks, 3 FMBL), like Manning, is not having a stellar season thus far. However, for the most part he’s stayed away from tossing picks and has managed to have an eye for the goal line. WR Jordy Nelson (17 REC, 206 YDs, 12.1 AVG, 4 TDs) will be in Rodgers’ sights tonight, as will WR Randall Cobb (12 REC, 132 YDs, 11.0 AVG, 0 TD). RB Eddie Lacy (43 ATT. 214 YDs, 5.0 AVG, 0 TD) will be the primary element in Green Bays ground attack.
The New York defense is less than spectacular. They have four sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, 17 PD, and two forced fumbles. The Giant D has not had a pick yet. Green Bay is scoring an average of 25.0 PPG, while the Giants are allowing 21.3. There’s major concern regarding New York’s ability to stop the Packer offense. The Pack could score 25-plus tonight.
NFL Sunday Night Football week Five Free Pick
For our Sunday Night Football week five free pick, we’ve checked the latest odds and note there has been basically no movement since they were set late last Sunday. The Packers are still at -7.0. Although the Packers secondary is hurting, we think that they have enough on defense to control Manning and company. There’s some weakness and uncertainty on the NY O-line due to injury. Green Bay should be able to exploit that. Take the rested Packers at -7.0.
