Thursday Night Football is back, and this week the Green Bay Packers are hosting the Washington Commanders at Lambeau Field. Kickoff’s at 8:15 p.m. ET, with the Packers favored by 3.5 points and the over/under sitting at 48.5.
Both teams looked sharp in Week 1, so this matchup has a bit of extra juice. Playoff contenders last season, now they’re meeting early and both want to set the tone. Should be a good one, right?
Game Overview: Packers vs. Commanders
Green Bay comes in as 3.5-point favorites at home. Last week, they rolled over the Detroit Lions, a team that won 15 games last year. Meanwhile, Washington handled the Giants, though New York only managed three wins last season.
Home-field advantage definitely plays into the Packers’ favor. There’s also the question of how much more we’ll see from Micah Parsons, who made his mark last week despite limited snaps.
Key Players to Watch
Micah Parsons was on the field for just 45% of the defensive snaps in his debut, but he still picked up a sack. As he gets healthier and more comfortable in the Packers’ system, you’d expect his workload to grow.
That could be a real headache for Washington’s offense if he heats up. On the other side, Terry McLaurin is always worth watching for the Commanders.
Some experts like McLaurin as an anytime touchdown scorer. He barely missed last week thanks to an overthrown pass, but he’s got a knack for finding the end zone—especially if the Packers’ defense doesn’t key in on him as much as last year.
Expert Picks and Predictions
Computer models and analysts have the Packers covering the 3.5-point spread in about 63% of simulations. They’re weighing the quality of each team’s Week 1 opponent and the short week of prep.
Home field and the expected boost from guys like Parsons seem to tip things Green Bay’s way, at least on paper.
Player Prop Bets
If you’re looking at player props, Matthew Golden is a name that comes up. The suggestion is to take the under on his longest reception at 17.5 yards.
Golden’s a rookie and hasn’t really become a go-to option yet. Plus, Washington’s pass defense is tough, so that under looks appealing.
Switching gears for a second—David Peterson of the Mets is a pick for over 15.5 recorded outs, and Cal Raleigh of the Mariners is favored for over 0.5 RBI. These are based on a pretty deep dive into stats and simulations.
College Football and MLB Bets
It’s not just about the NFL tonight. College football fans might want to check out Wake Forest vs. NC State. Wake Forest is favored to cover the +7 spread in 55% of simulations.
Robby Ashford’s dual-threat ability at quarterback could be a difference-maker, and there’s a sense NC State might be a little worn down after two tough wins.
MLB Picks
In MLB, the Orioles are up against the Pirates. Paul Skenes is pitching for Pittsburgh, and the Pirates are expected to cover the +1.5 run line in 70% of simulations.
Skenes has been impressive, and the Orioles have struggled with lefty Cade Povich, which factors into the pick. Should be interesting to see how that one plays out.
Thursday’s sports schedule is packed with betting options. There’s NFL, college football, and a bit of MLB action thrown in too.
The Green Bay Packers vs. Washington Commanders matchup stands out. Most experts seem to think the Packers will cover the spread, but honestly, it could go either way.
Micah Parsons and Terry McLaurin are two names to watch. Player prop bets are also drawing plenty of attention this week.
If you’re after more in-depth analysis or just want to poke around for extra betting ideas, check out the CBS Sports betting page.
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