The Green Bay Packers are the No.1 seed in the NFC, and they should hold onto that spot through Week 15. Look for Aaron Rodgers and Co. to take one more step toward securing a first-round playoff bye with a win over the Carolina Panthers Saturday night.

Green Bay has already clinched the NFC North title, tied for the best record in the conference. Carolina is tied for the NFC’s worst record with virtually no chance of reaching the playoffs. The Packers are rightfully heavy favorites at Lambeau Field.

The point spread is 8.5 points, according to the betting lines compiled by OddsShark. The over/under is 51.5 points for what could be a high-scoring affair.

It isn’t Green Bay’s defense that has the team atop the NFC standings. The Packers do rank eighth in total yards allowed, but they’re 17th in opponents’ yards per play. The Detroit Lions hung tough with Green Bay in Week 14 as the Packers held on for a 31-24 victory.

First-year head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady have Carolina ranked ninth in yards per play. The Panthers haven’t been able to stop anyone, resulting in seven losses over their last eight games.

Carolina has surrendered more than 30 points per game in those losses, including a 32-27 defeat at home against the Denver Broncos in Week 14. Drew Lock had the best game of his brief career, posting a 149.5 passer rating.

If Lock was able to play that well, the Panthers’ defense probably doesn’t stand a chance against Rodgers in the midst of an MVP-caliber season.

Rodgers leads all quarterbacks with a 119.5 passer rating and 39 touchdown passes. He’s only been picked off four times. The Panthers have just five interceptions in the 2020 season.

The Packers rank first in the league with 31.5 points per game. Green Bay is second in yards per game and yards per play. In three games against top-seven scoring offenses, Carolina has allowed 34.7 points per game.

Green Bay is the No.1 seed because of how they take care of business against bad teams. The Packers are 9-1 against teams that are out of the latest playoff picture. Green Bay is 7-3 against the spread in those games.

The Packers should be able to win this one somewhat comfortably.

Prediction: Green Bay over Carolina 37-23

Aaron Rodgers Packers Panthers
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass the football against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field on November 10, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Quinn Harris/Getty Images
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