Check out Free Picks and Premium Service Plays for Sunday, August 7th, 2016 from some of the nations best and worst handicappers.
DAVE COKIN
PACKERS VS. COLTS
PLAY:PACKERS PK
I decided to go ahead and post this now, as I suspect Green Bay could go off the small favorite based on a couple of conversations with Las Vegas bookmakers.
Note this will not be a full unit play for me. I rarely do anything of substance with this game or the opening week exhibition slate as these games are almost all about evaluation, particularly for those on the deep end of the respective depth charts.
But there is one key that I like in this game on the Green Bay side, and that would be QB Brett Hundley. He is now the clear cut #2 behind Aaron Rodgers, and let’s just say that Hundley is very serious about improving as an NFL QB in hopes of eventually getting a chance to be a starter. Hundley was spectacular in his 2015 debut during the pre-season and I expect him to be ever better this summer.
It’s interesting to note that the Indy #2 QB is now Scott Tolzien, who was let go by the Packers after last season. So he’ll get to log some snaps against his former team in this game.
One of my pre-season checklist highlights are gauging the backup quarterbacks, as they’re the ones who will be on the field most of the time, especially in the early going. Hundley is very high on my rankings, based on what he did in August last year as a raw rookie playing an offense he was completely unfamiliar with. I have no idea whether he’ll be a guy who can contribute significantly in regular season play should the situation arise anytime soon. But I like him to be among the best players on any team this August, and it sure sounds like he can’t wait to get on the football field next Monday at Canton.
Obviously, if the betting line on this game goes the other way, I’ll have made an error in gauging the market. But based on what I’ve heard from behind the counter, it’s more likely Green Bay will go off the small chalk here. Since I want to back Hundley and the Packers, I’ll go ahead and do so now. Bear in mind I’m only wagering a half unit here, but my play is on the Green Bay side.