San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers Odds

The Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers will both try to keep pace in their respective divisions when they meet at Lambeau Field in Week 13.

History is certainly on the side of Green Bay this week. The Packers have won seven in row in the series. NFL odds makers believe Green Bay will make it eight straight Sunday, listing the Packers as a 9.5-point favorite with the total set at 41.5.

Looking back further, Green Bay has won 12 of the last 13 meetings in this series by an average score of 27.0 to 17.0. The Packers have also won the last seven at home by an average score of 29.0 to 19.0.

These teams last met last season at Lambeau. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 32 of 45 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns in helping his team record a 30-24 victory.

Rodgers currently ranks fifth in the league with 2,945 yards passing after a season-high 344-yard performance in last Sunday’s 20-17 loss at Atlanta. Rodgers has proven he can put the offense on his back, but he would certainly benefit from some help from the running game. That help may not come until next season, however, when Ryan Grant returns from injury.

Backup Brandon Jackson has carried the football 24 times for just 54 yards the last two weeks. Green Bay has been held under the century mark on the ground in five of its last six games.

Green Bay has to feel like it let last week’s game get away. It outgained the Falcons 418-294 but saw its four-game win streak come to an end.

It is worth noting that the 49ers are 0-7-1 against the spread in their last eight games following an against the spread win.

The 49ers have rebounded from a 0-5 start to win four of their last six games. Former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Troy Smith has led the Niners to wins in three of his four starts, including a 27-6 victory over division rival Arizona Monday.

The win, however, didn’t come without some bad news. Workhorse running back Frank Gore was lost for the season with a right hip injury. This blow could be enough to end any lingering playoff hopes for the Niners, considering how much Gore means to the offense.

Now former Philadelphia Eagles standout Brian Westbrook will be counted on to pick up the slack. Westbrook was certainly able to do that Monday when he rushed for 136 yards on 23 totes. Westbrook is similar to Gore in that he is also a good receiver out of the backfield.

The 49ers will also look to rookie Anthony Dixon to keep the running attack formidable in Gore’s absence. The Niners have averaged 138.3 yards per game on the ground while winning four of their last six.

It is worth noting that San Francisco is 9-1-2 against the number in its last 12 games in the underdog role.