Packers vs. Broncos 2015 picks and predictions: Green Bay heavy favorite in battle of undefeated teams

The Denver Broncos host the Green Bay Packers in a battle of two 6-0 teams on Sunday Night Football. This Week 8 matchup features an intriguing clash of styles.

It’s weird to say this about a Peyton Manning-led team, but the Broncos are actually winning in spite of him, not because of him. Manning’s arm strength has all but evaporated at age 40, and his production is suffering because of it. Through seven games, Manning already has 10 interceptions, tied for the league lead with Sam Bradford.

By comparison, Manning had 15 picks all of last year. He is throwing for just 6.4 yards per attempt, also tied with Bradford and second-lowest among qualified quarterbacks. Simply put, you do not want to be in the same company as Sam Bradford if you have Super Bowl aspirations.

Manning’s struggles might be mitigated if the Broncos had a running game. Instead, they’re ranking 31st in rushing yards per carry. C.J. Anderson has been a major disappointment and could lose more carries to Ronnie Hillman. The offensive line and Manning’s poor play haven’t helped, but Anderson hardly looks like the explosive one-cut runner we saw from him last year. It’s a problem head coach Gary Kubiak needs to solve if he hopes to make a real playoff run.

So, with all those problems we mentioned, how are the Broncos even 6-0? The defense, that’s how. Denver boasts the most fearsome defense in football, ranking No. 1 in both rushing yards and passing yards allowed per game. Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. have become an elite cornerback duo, while DeMarcus Ware is enjoying a career renaissance at age 33. Ware missed Week 6 with a back injury, but has returned healthy after the Week 7 bye.

Denver’s defense will need to be at its best if it’s going to slow down Aaron Rodgers and company. The Packers have their own concerns at running back -- Eddie Lacy is still laboring with an ankle injury he picked up earlier in the year, while James Starks is questionable with a hip ailment. The good news is that wide receiver Davante Adams is coming back, so Rodgers will have another weapon to help make up for Jordy Nelson’s absence.

Top-flight offense vs. stingy defense is always a money matchup, so NBC should have a barnburner on its hands this week. However, there’s a strong consensus among NFL experts on who will win. ESPN has eight of its 13 experts picking Green Bay, while five out of eight writers at CBS Sports also have the Pack.

Here at SB Nation, it’s a similar consensus. Six of our eight panelists picked Green Bay, with Stephen White and the OddsShark computer being the only dissenters.