The Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers look to rebound from a tough loss with an even tougher opponent, as they head on the road to face Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in our game of the week.
Highlighting this Sunday's NFL Week 8 games is a battle of two quarterbacks with very different 2022 trajectories.
Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is considered by many to be the NFL's MVP and is piloting one of the best offenses in football. Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers used to have that said about him. Not this year, however.
But that doesn't mean Sunday night's game doesn't matter. It does, especially from a betting perspective, as FrontPageBets gives its top player props for this weekend's games, including the Rodgers rate.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings and subject to change)
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers over 1.5 passing touchdowns (+120)
For the Green Bay Packers to keep pace with Allen and the Bills’ high-powered offense, Rodgers will need to be at his bets. Regardless of the receivers he has around him, Rodgers needs to find a way to get the ball into the end zone to even have a chance.
The Packers wide receiving corps is decimated with injuries -- not that it had a lot of firepower with them all healthy -- so this prop will be a big ask of Rodgers. Allen Lazard, who has four touchdown catches on the season, is doubtful for Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury.
But consider this: Rodgers is tied for sixth in the NFL with 11 TD passes on the year. He’s also thrown for two touchdowns in four out of the last five games. Eight of his touchdown passes have come inside the red zone, meaning that his passing options increase to more than just receivers (running back Aaron Jones has three touchdown catches) inside the 20-yard line. If they can get there.
Eagles WR DeVonta Smith over 4.5 receptions (+110)
In the last three games, Philadelphia Eagles wideout DeVonta Smith has 18 catches, including 10 against the Arizona Cardinals.
For the season, Smith’s 33 catches is tied for 27th in the NFL. The only game he’s started that he’s had less than five catches was a Week 4 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had three in that game.
Expect him to get plenty of chances against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Bears PK Cairo Santos over 1.5 field goals made (+140)
Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos is a perfect 11-for-11 on field goals this season, including four over 50 yards.
In last week’s win over the New England Patriots, Santos made four field goals. In two of three games before that he made three FGs in each.
Against the Dallas Cowboys’ stingy defense, Santos could get some looks from distance if the Bears can get him into range.
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Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for FrontPageBets.com. Szvetitz is a 22-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His "View From The Lazy Boy" column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.
