Packers vs. Bills: NFL preseason betting odds, preview, and pick
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks to throw the ball with Baltimore Ravens Safety Chuck Clark (36) defending. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)
August 23rd, 2021
The third and final week of the NFL preseason is upon us, and two of the league's top contenders are set to face off as the Green Bay Packers head to Buffalo to take on the Bills on Saturday, Aug. 28.
Let’s take a look at the betting odds and top storylines for this intriguing matchup.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|
Green Bay Packers | +240 | +7 | O 34.5 |
Buffalo Bills | -305 | -7 | U 34.5 |
The Bills boast impressive depth at QB
The Bills kept starting quarterback Josh Allen on the bench in their Week 2 blowout of the Chicago Bears, but we'll likely see him get some reps in this matchup. The Bills are fortunate to have a healthy stable of young quarterback options that will also get minutes, including backup Mitch Trubisky who eviscerated his former team with 228 yards and a touchdown.
Money. 😎@MTrubisky10 | @IsaiahHodgins pic.twitter.com/yNwzJ1GXW1
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 2, 2021
Allen led Buffalo to the third best passing offense in the NFL in 2020, and the Bills have called on him to throw the ball with increasing frequency in each progressive season he’s been in the league. Allen has high expectations in 202, and should come out with a couple of good series to get things started on the right foot.
Is Rodgers Ready?
On the other side of the field, the Packers' quarterback situation for this matchup has more question marks. Backup Jordan Love ended up sitting out Week 2 with a shoulder injury, but would definitely benefit from as many reps as he can get.
Another one for the @AaronRodgers12 ➡️ @tae15adams highlight reel 👀 #PackersCamp pic.twitter.com/viG9rBsDVU
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 20, 2021
Starter Aaron Rodgers is as established as a veteran gets, so he probably doesn’t need to see the field. However, after an offseason that saw him spend more time on the golf course than the practice field, a few throws in live game action would make Packers faithful feel a little better before a challenging Week 1 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|
Green Bay Packers | +240 | +7 | O 34.5 |
Buffalo Bills | -305 | -7 | U 34.5 |
Packers and Bills Trends
- Five of the last six Packers games have gone Over the projected total
- The Packers are 0-6 ATS in their last six games at Buffalo
- Six of the last seven Packers games played in August have gone Over the projected total
- The Bills are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games
- The Bills are 7-0 straight-up in their last seven home games
Expect Buffalo to finish the preseason undefeated
The Bills are likely to give starter Allen a series or two, and have a deep bench with Trubisky, Davis Webb, and Jake Fromm. All four options can lead the Bills' potent offense.
The Packers, meanwhile, will be giving an inexperienced and unproven QB coming off a shoulder injury almost all of their snaps, while presumably keeping their other starting offensive talent off the field.
The Bills are 2-0 this preseason while the Packers are 0-2, and Buffalo is tough at home, no matter the context. Look for the Bills to finish off their preseason undefeated and to head into Week 1 with a full head of steam.
Score prediction: Bills 27, Packers 17