The Absolute Best Week 8 Packers Preview: Green Bay Packers (3-4) at Buffalo Bills (5-1)
Week 8 Packers Preview: Vegas Line Buffalo -11 (O/U 47.5)
- Vegas implied score: Packers 12-13 to Bills 34-35
- Only two of the Packers’ games hit the over: at home vs the Patriots and in London vs the Giants
- Only one Bills game hit the over in 2022: week 2 vs the Titans
Week 8 Packers Preview: Rundown
Bills lead series 8-5
The Packers face off against the Bills Sunday night hoping to avoid a 0-3 record against New York teams in 2022. Wins and losses have been split 4-4 between the teams since 1997. Before that, the Packers are 1-5 against the Bills since 1974. The Packers are sure underdogs in this one; everything seems to be going right in Buffalo while the opposite is happening in Green Bay.
The Packers are on a three-game losing streak after starting the season 3-1. The cracks were beginning to form in a couple of those wins before the losing streak. The Packers need to patch things up before the season is lost for good. A win against the 5-1 Bills would serve as a serious motivator for the Pack.
On the other side, the Bills are currently in the middle of a three-game win streak. Buffalo is the sure favorite to win this game; their team is coming off of a bye healthy and firing on all cylinders, and they are home. Josh Allen is playing MVP football. This will be Green Bay’s toughest game so far in 2022.
The weather will be chilly and overcast in Buffalo Sunday night. Temperatures are forecasted with a low of 49 degrees. Just another day for the Packers.
Week 8 Packers Preview: What to Watch For
Adjusting the Game Plan
The Packers need to change the game plan. There is bad blocking. The team ranks mid-tier and at the bottom at pass-blocking and run-blocking win rates respectively. They cleaned it up this past week without allowing a single sack but there needs to be consistency on a game-by-game basis. The catching is bad. Green Bay has the second-highest amount of dropped passes. The passing isn’t winning games. Rodgers is having one of his worst statistical years with a career low in passing yards per attempt and his third-worst passer rating.
The playcalling needs to change to fit the strengths and weaknesses of the team. Aaron Jones is arguably the Packers’ best skill player. Jones rushed the ball 5, 13, 9, and 8 times in each of the Packers’ losses. He needs the ball more. There are also the same mistakes on special teams, such as blown blocking assignments and muffed punts.
Let’s see if the coaches adjust. First, we should watch to see how they address their subpar blocking. Second, we should see how they work in Rodgers’ 2022 deficiencies or if they make a change at QB. Next, let’s see if they work in their running backs more, even if they are down early. LaFleur said on Friday that they are working on ways to get better on third down, which is one of their weaknesses on offense.
It doesn’t look like the Packers will make a move at trading for a wide receiver before week eight, so no reinforcements are coming on that front. The defense will have to step up and create more turnovers if the Packers hope to stay alive in this game.
Aaron’s Thumb
Aaron Rodgers’ thumb started to bother him after the loss to the Giants on October 9th. He is currently listed as a limited practice participant on the Packers’ injury report. Since the injury appeared, Rodgers has thrown for 440 yards and three touchdowns in the two games. There was a sharp drop off in intended air yards and completed air yards between the weeks six and seven games, so perhaps he reaggravated it in the Jets game.
Since Rodgers is getting up there in age, the Packers should consider benching him if things get out of hand on Sunday to protect his health for a wild card run. These are tough times for one of the GOATs at quarterback. The Packers need to be mindful of the vet’s season-long health.
My Week 8 Packers Preview: Predictions
Bills win 28-14
- Nothing will come easy for the Packers in this game. One of their touchdowns will be on a broken play.
- Packers have been decently stingy against opposing QBs, only allowing six touchdowns through seven games. They also held Justin Fields to 20 yards rushing and Daniel Jones to 37. Allen will still manage three touchdowns total (two passing, one rushing).
- Diggs and Davis will combine for 200 yards receiving.
Week 8 Packers Preview: Injury Report
Packers
LP – OT David Bakhtiari (knee), G Elgton Jenkins (knee), QB Aaron Rodgers (thumb), WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring), WR Christian Watson (hamstring),
DNP – CB Shemar Jean-Charles (ankle), WR Allen Lazard (shoulder)
Bills
LP – no one
DNP – T Spencer Brown (ankle)