The 2024 NFL makes the trip to Brazil on Friday night with a first ever game in South America as the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles bring a heavyweight NFC clash to the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo.
We’re hoping to feel the samba beat with our best bets on the game in this Bet Builder from tipster Mark Kirwan…
Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles
Total Points: Over 49.5
Anytime Touchdown Scorer: Saquon Barkley
Luke Musgrave: Over 24.5 receiving yards
AJ Brown: Over 70.5 receiving yards
Jalen Hurts: Over 240.5 passing yards
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 11/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Saturday, September 1 – 1:20am
WHERE: Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil
TV: Sky Sports NFL
Total Points: Over 49.5
These two, according to the betting markets, figure to feature in the latter stages of the NFC playoff picture, though there’s a lot of road between there and here – and not just because this is the first NFL game ever to take place below the Equator.
The unusual venue doesn’t give either side an obvious advantage, and with the timezone not affecting either teams’ sleep clock, we can assume this is an even contest and it’s tough to call a winner.
Anyone trying to use Twitter at the game might struggle to get a message out on the match-up, but one signal we can read from here is that both defences here is that changes are afoot in Philly and Green Bay. Both units are under new coordinators and there’s quite a lot of turnover in terms of personnel, with the Eagles especially inexperienced in the secondary and questions about their linebackers with Devin White absent for unclear reasons.
Given the wealth of offensive talent on both teams, we have to expect they’ll exploit the potential unfamiliarity of defensive staffs and schemes. The total line is a very high one, but that’s a sign that the market is expecting a real scorefest, so we’ll go for the over here.
Anytime Touchdown Scorer: Saquon Barkley
The Eagles have developed a reputation for under-utilising their running-backs in recent years, so it’s striking that they’ve gone out and signed one of the top backs in the league from their divisional rival this offseason.
We hope that signals they’re willing to make the most of him, though I’d rather go with him in the touchdown scorer market than look at his yardage either rushing or receiving until we see what new OC Kellen Moore does with him.
He had 10 TDs last season in 14 games for a struggling Giants team. Behind what should be a much better offensive line in Philadelphia, he should get more room to run and more scores, starting on Friday night.
Luke Musgrave: Over 24.5 receiving yards
The Packers’ second-year tight-end hit this mark in all but two of his 10 regular season appearances last season, averaging over 35 yards per game.
Quarterback Jordan Love is spoilt for choice in terms of targets with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks all young, exciting options who offer different threats, but Musgrave looks a decent bet here to snaffle a few receptions with the Eagles likely soft across the middle of the field.
AJ Brown: Over 70.5 receiving yards
The Eagles’ season fell apart last season as quarterback Jalen Hurts’ relationship deteriorated with head coach Nick Sirianni and the loser in that fight was OC Brian Johnson, who’s been replaced this season.
We assume that’ll mean Hurts gets his way with more passing outside the numbers and, against the Packers cornerbacks here, that should translate into yards for AJ Brown, one of the most devastating one-on-one receivers in the league.
Jalen Hurts: Over 240.5 passing yards
And the corollary of that assumption is Hurts posts big numbers too. This is particularly relevant as the Eagles figure to be chasing the Packers given their breadth of talent and opportunity against the Philly D.
Hurts will have to air it out if they are and over 240 passing yards in what should be a high-scoring game seems a reasonable expectation.
Packers @ Eagles Bet Builder
Total Points: Over 49.5
Anytime Touchdown Scorer: Saquon Barkley
Luke Musgrave: Over 24.5 receiving yards
AJ Brown: Over 70.5 receiving yards
Jalen Hurts: Over 240.5 passing yards
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 11/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All odds and lines quoted are accurate at time of publication but are subject to change
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