The Green Bay Packers (5-3) and New England Patriots (5-3) meet Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium in a key Week 9 NFL matchup with both teams firmly in the playoff picture.
Prediction 1: Drake Maye is sacked twice and throws an interception. The Patriots offensive line is without left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and right guard Mike Onwenu (both on injured reserve). Green Bay's defense has recorded 15 sacks and forced eight interceptions over the last five games. Maye has thrown three interceptions this season when pressured, per PFF, and may also be without receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs.
Prediction 2: Christian Gonzalez shuts down Christian Watson. Watson (42 catches, 708 yards, 6 TDs) and Matthew Golden (43-619-4) are both on pace for 1,200-plus receiving yards. Gonzalez, an All-Pro cornerback, has allowed just 6.1 yards per target and a 77.8 passer rating when targeted, making him an ideal matchup for Watson.
Prediction 3: Rhamondre Stevenson tops 100 scrimmage yards and scores a touchdown. Stevenson handled 22 touches last week and is projected for 18-plus touches Sunday. The Patriots offensive line ranks third in ESPN run-block win rate (76%), while Green Bay has allowed 7.1 yards per reception and 33.6 receiving yards per game to running backs in 2026.
Prediction 4: Jordan Love throws for 250-plus yards and three touchdowns. New England blitzes at the fourth-highest rate (35.3%) but generates pressure only 22.8% of the time. Love leads the NFL with 939 passing yards and nine touchdowns when blitzed this season. With Gonzalez likely on Watson, Matthew Golden, tight end Tucker Kraft, and Savion Williams should exploit the Patriots' secondary.
Prediction 5: Packers win 24-21. Neither team is fully healthy, but Green Bay's aggressive defense and more reliable passing attack give the edge in a game expected to come down to the wire.
