Packers Wire staff predictions: Week 9 vs. Patriots

The Green Bay Packers will attempt to beat the New England Patriots on the road for the first time since the 2002 season when Matt LaFleur's team takes on Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 9 showdown with the Patriots will go down: Zach Kruse: Patriots 24, Packers 21 (5-3) Two factors tilt this one to the Patriots for me: Drake Maye's ability to create out of structure and under pressure, and New England's depth and talent in the pass-rushing group. In a game that looks so likely to come down to which quarterback is better protected or can create under pressure, the edge -- at least in my mind -- goes to the Patriots. I don't think the Packers have faced a team with this combination of quarterback talent and pass-rushing depth yet this season. Winning in New England, where the Patriots are 3-0 to start 2026 and 11-1 in their last 12, is tough. One other thing to watch: Can Trey Smack make a big kick outdoors in a tricky stadium? These teams are so evenly matched, so a missed kick could make all the difference. I'll go Patriots by a field goal in a back-and-forth battle. Brandon Carwile: Packers 23, Patriots 20 (5-3) Both teams started the year 1-2, but are 5-3 heading into this Week 9 matchup. Green Bay still can’t run the ball, but Jordan Love is leading the league in passing yards. Meanwhile, after a rocky start to the season, Drake Maye won AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. Both quarterbacks are playing at a high level, but the Packers have Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, while the Patriots will be missing AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs. I expect a back-and-forth battle, but I like Green Bay’s passing attack more than I like New England’s. I’m taking the Packers in a close one. Mark Oldacres: Packers 26, Patriots 16 (5-3) Just like last year, the Patriots have been beaten up on weak opponents and struggled against playoff caliber teams, and that goes for both sides of the ball. New England’s offense has averaged 31 points per game against defenses ranked 18th or lower in EPA per play and only 15 points per game versus units ranked in the top eight. Drake Maye is a great quarterback but makes big mistakes and does not have much help at the moment without A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs and potentially Hunter Henry for this game. Expect to see the types of ups and downs the Packers offense usually goes through en route to putting up a good points total, while leaving some out on the field. I think the Packers are simply a better team than the Patriots and will show it on Sunday. Brennen Rupp: Packers 27, Patriots 20 (5-3)