Previewing the Green Bay Packers (5-3) versus the New England Patriots (5-3) in Week 9 action:
How to watch
The Packers and Patriots will play in "America's Game of the Week" on FOX in the late afternoon timeslot on Sunday. Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will be on the call with Kevin Burkhardt, who leads FOX's top announcing team. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. CT from Gillette Stadium. Most of the country will get Packers-Patriots, which is in red below:
Packers-Patriots head-to-head
The Packers lead the all-time series with the Patriots 7-6, including a win in Super Bowl XXXI following the 1996 season and an overtime win at Lambeau Field during the last meeting in 2022. The Packers haven't won in New England since the 2002 season, when Brett Favre threw three touchdown passes in a 28-10
win over the defending Super Bowl champs. The last meeting at Gillette Stadium ended in a 31-17 win for Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots on "Sunday Night Football" in 2018. Arguably the best game in the Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady era came in 2014 at Lambeau Field, when the Packers escaped with a 26-21 win over the eventual champions.
Last week
Both the Packers and Patriots improved to 5-3 overall with wins in Week 8. Mike Vrabel's team trailed 13-3 at the half in Miami last Sunday but scored 21 straight points in the second half and snuck past Jeff Hafley and the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Drake Maye produced three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score, to lead the comeback win. Like the Packers, the Patriots have rebounded from a 1-2 start with four wins in the last five games.
Preview video
The NFL's preview of Packers-Patriots:
Keys to victory, top matchup
Packers’ keys to victory: Protect QB Jordan Love. The Packers still can’t run the ball, so the passing game must carry the load. Love is an excellent passer when kept clean in the pocket, but the Packers offensive line is a mystery box week to week. Explosive plays to WRs Christian Watson and Matthew Golden are likely if Love has time to throw.
Patriots’ keys to victory: Win the turnover battle. The Patriots have turned the ball over at least once in every game this season and are -7 in the turnover department. The Packers, meanwhile, are coming into Week 9 as the NFL's leaders in takeaways. QB Drake Maye must stay patient and avoid giving the ball away. New England is also 4-1 when getting a turnover on defense this season.
Matchup to watch: Packers WRs Christian Watson and Matthew Golden vs. Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez: A heavyweight matchup between two of the most productive receivers in football and a Pro Bowl, shutdown style corner. The Packers have leaned on Watson and Golden for big plays. Gonzalez could make life tough on the visitors if he can take one of Love’s top targets out of the game. Former Lion Carlton Davis III is the other starting corner for New England.
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This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots Week 9 preview
