NFL WEEK 9
GREG COTE'S THURSDAY PICK
PACKERS (5-2) at 49ERS (4-4)
Line: GB by 6.
Cote's pick: GB 27-23.
TV: 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Fox/NFL.
Full transparency. These early lid-lifters have been tough on us; we're 3-4 straight-up on Thursday night thus far. Bright side? Due for a run, so let's start with this Week 9 kickoff. (COVID alert: Game was still on as of Wednesday, although Packers RB A.J. Dillon tested positive, and the 49ers closed their facility due to a positive test). I tend to always trust in Aaron Rodgers, occasionally to a fault, but here's a trend I'll ride with: Pack has won eight games in a row following a loss. Still, forecasting this matchup is fraught with peril. Rodgers' top back Aaron Jones (calf) is legit-iffy and the Gee Bees' RB room is barren after him. San Fran has its own woes, with QB Jimmy Garoppolo and TE George Kittle both now sidelined for at least several weeks by injuries. Nick Mullens is an OK fill-in for Garo; replacing Kittle isn't as easy. And Niners also will be missing RB Tevin Coleman on this short week. SF beat Pack twice last season, including in playoffs. See Cheesers getting their payback on the road, but the betting line feels fat — an overreaction to the home team's injuries. Teams run on Green Bay, and so should the Frans here. Packers have lost five straight on West Coast; an outright upset is strongly in play. I'm still riding with Mr. Rodgers, but, with doubts about Jones playing, give us Niners to cover.
