NFL Week 6 Preview with NFL Expert Hamish Girvan

NFL Week 6 – Struggles in the North Part 2

The NFC North is one of the more lopsided divisions – basically its Green Bay as perennial champions and the rest to snag a playoff berth

The only reason it is lopsided also revolves around one person – Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers – if not for him it could be anyone’s division except maybe the current Chicago Bears

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Monday 6am NZ time

A divisional match up that may or may not be closer than usual seasons. The Vikings here are victims of the injured quarterback curse and are starting in reality with their third string one at the moment. Coming off a Monday Night Football divisional victory against the Chicago Bears they will play this one tough however the Packers are coming off a last minute victory away to the more favoured Dallas Cowboys. Case Keenum holds the quarterback reigns for the Vikings (after being released by the LA Rams (where he was their starter for half of last season). Sitting behind Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford on the depth chart Keenum has done a solid job filling in. Who knows how long he will be the starter? Meanwhile Aaron Rogers was given way too much time last week (1 min 17 secs) last week falling behind against the Dallas Cowboys and did it with relative comfort. The Vikings do have some good weapons in receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Jerick McKinnon however any chance of winning will depend on how they allow Rogers to play. Green Bay –2.5 is a relatively safe bet here

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints – Monday 6am NZ time

The Lions head to New Orleans to face the Saints off a bye. Detroit believe it not have the highest paid quarterback in the NFL in Matt Stafford. Part gunslinger he has the goods however can suffer inconsistencies. Heavily reliant on a crash and bash type style they may struggle against Saints legend Drew Brees who still has it arm wise. The Saints faithfaul are one of the more rabid in the NFL so will be fired up. They could do this easily with a -3.5 point start. Take ‘em

Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens – Monday 6am NZ time

There’s a new sheriff in town. The Bears handed a debut to rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky last week against Minnesota and to be honest he did not do that badly, even in a loss
The Bears are still defensively mind under head coach John Fox, who specialises in that style. Trubisky is the future and he could be the game changer he was drafted to be earlier than planned. The Ravens are a bad football team. Another team that is built on defence are struggling and the Bears will be a tougher challenge then what was predicted a few weeks back. The Bears are being given a +6.5 point line here which looks not bad value. Mitch-a -Palozza could be a happening thing here.

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