Scott Spreitzer's
NFL PRESEASON GAME OF THE YEAR! *10-4, 71% Run! (Friday)
I'm taking the points with the Packers on Friday night, my Preseason Game of the Year! The Denver defense, much maligned in 2007, will face their first real test of preseason play on Friday. Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers will finally have his full arsenal of receivers for the first time this exhibition season. Wide receiver Greg Jennings returned to practice this week and it was like he hadn't missed a step. There was "no ring rust, whatsoever" as Mike McCarthy put it. Jennings and the starting offense is expected to play into the third quarter against the Broncos. RB Ryan Grant will be the only offensive skill weapon that Rodgers won't have access to in this week's dress rehearsal. Rodgers has reacted well to the full slate of go-to-guys in the passing game. In fact, in Wednesday's lone competitive 11-on-11 period of practice, the Packer signal caller completed 100% of his passes. Having a healthy Greg Jennings on the field on Friday means the Broncos will not be able to double-cover Donald Driver. And, Driver can go back to being the 10-to-15 yards down field, possession receiver, rather than trying to be Rodgers main deep threat. Green Bay also has been forced to use former practice-squad receiver Chris Francies when the starters were on the field in their first two games. That will no longer be an issue. Also, thus far in preseason play, teams have doubled Driver and not allowed any deep seams in the first team offense's limited snaps. Ol' #4 may not be under center any longer, but we'll finally see much of last season's second-ranked NFC offense on Friday night...at least for most of the first three quarters. That's bad news for the mediocre Bronco defense. And, while Green Bay still features a battle for backup at QB, the Broncos are set on their regular season rotation, which gives the Packers another competitive edge. As far as technnical capping is concerned, playing on certain preseason teams to bounce back from weak performances has helped the bankroll, substantially. In fact, playing ON teams that were out-gained by at least 150 yards in their previous game has led to a 52-29, 64% ATS run. This Denver team has allowed a hefty 643 total yards through their first two games, including 324 yards last week, despite Dallas' "going through the motions" performance. The Broncos will pay for their mediocrity tonight. I'm taking the points with the Packers, my Preseason GOY. Thanks! GL! Scott.
