In a league where every week is an adventure and change is constant, Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre is the most dependable entity the NFL has to offer.
Favre makes his 200th consecutive regular-season start tonight against the St. Louis Rams at Lambeau Field, where Favre rarely has lost during his career.
But that's another twist to this odd season. The Packers have been strangely unreliable at home, going 2-3 straight up and 1-4 against the spread.
They are 6 1/2-point favorites over the Rams, one of the league's most erratic teams, and The Gold Sheet senior editor Chuck Sippl said he leans toward Green Bay covering.
"I see a few edges to the Packers, but not big, definitive edges," said Sippl, who hesitates to make a stronger endorsement on the game because of "big injury factors for both teams."
One of Green Bay's edges is Favre facing an injury-riddled St. Louis secondary. The Rams rank 28th in total defense, allowing 356 yards per game, while Favre leads the league's No. 3 offense at 407 yards per game.
But the injury status of running back Ahman Green, who is questionable because of bruised ribs, could slow the Packers' attack. Green has rushed for 879 yards and 4.8 per carry.
"Their passing game is OK, so maybe their plan will be for Favre to attack the Rams' secondary," said Sippl (goldsheet.com). <!-- TEXT of COL2 -->
St. Louis' offense is loaded with talent -- running backs Marshall Faulk and Steven Jackson, wideouts Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt -- but quarterback Marc Bulger shows a shaky tendency on the road.
Bulger was intercepted three times in last week's 37-17 loss at Buffalo. But it's not just Bulger to blame for the road weariness of the Rams, 6-15 against the spread in their last 21 road games.
St. Louis is a speed team designed to accelerate and excel indoors. Outside on grass, where Favre is usually at his best, Green Bay should have another edge.
"I'm always hesitant to paint teams black and white, particularly in the NFL where there is a whole lot of gray. But it's dark for the Rams when they have to play outdoors," Sippl said.
"Favre has had a tougher time in domes, but he's always been a good bad-weather quarterback."
When it's cold late in the season, the Packers' home-field advantage is huge. Favre is 29-0 at home in the regular season when the game-time temperature is 34 or below.
Green Bay (6-4) has won five in a row since being trounced 48-27 by Tennessee on Oct. 11 at Lambeau Field, also a Monday night game.
One of Favre's worst games came three years ago in the playoffs when he threw six interceptions in a 45-17 loss at St. Louis, leading Sippl to say, "There is a little bit of a revenge angle for Favre."
Chuck Sippl of the Gold Sheet
Favre makes his 200th consecutive regular-season start tonight against the St. Louis Rams at Lambeau Field, where Favre rarely has lost during his career.
But that's another twist to this odd season. The Packers have been strangely unreliable at home, going 2-3 straight up and 1-4 against the spread.
They are 6 1/2-point favorites over the Rams, one of the league's most erratic teams, and The Gold Sheet senior editor Chuck Sippl said he leans toward Green Bay covering.
"I see a few edges to the Packers, but not big, definitive edges," said Sippl, who hesitates to make a stronger endorsement on the game because of "big injury factors for both teams."
One of Green Bay's edges is Favre facing an injury-riddled St. Louis secondary. The Rams rank 28th in total defense, allowing 356 yards per game, while Favre leads the league's No. 3 offense at 407 yards per game.
But the injury status of running back Ahman Green, who is questionable because of bruised ribs, could slow the Packers' attack. Green has rushed for 879 yards and 4.8 per carry.
"Their passing game is OK, so maybe their plan will be for Favre to attack the Rams' secondary," said Sippl (goldsheet.com). <!-- TEXT of COL2 -->
St. Louis' offense is loaded with talent -- running backs Marshall Faulk and Steven Jackson, wideouts Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt -- but quarterback Marc Bulger shows a shaky tendency on the road.
Bulger was intercepted three times in last week's 37-17 loss at Buffalo. But it's not just Bulger to blame for the road weariness of the Rams, 6-15 against the spread in their last 21 road games.
St. Louis is a speed team designed to accelerate and excel indoors. Outside on grass, where Favre is usually at his best, Green Bay should have another edge.
"I'm always hesitant to paint teams black and white, particularly in the NFL where there is a whole lot of gray. But it's dark for the Rams when they have to play outdoors," Sippl said.
"Favre has had a tougher time in domes, but he's always been a good bad-weather quarterback."
When it's cold late in the season, the Packers' home-field advantage is huge. Favre is 29-0 at home in the regular season when the game-time temperature is 34 or below.
Green Bay (6-4) has won five in a row since being trounced 48-27 by Tennessee on Oct. 11 at Lambeau Field, also a Monday night game.
One of Favre's worst games came three years ago in the playoffs when he threw six interceptions in a 45-17 loss at St. Louis, leading Sippl to say, "There is a little bit of a revenge angle for Favre."
Chuck Sippl of the Gold Sheet
