Who will get the second win in the second game?
There are only three duels in week two of the National Football League where two teams meet that each won their games on game day one. Somewhat surprisingly, the game at “Mercedes-Benz Stadium” is one of them, where the Atlanta Falcons host the Green Bay Packers. A tip is difficult not only because of the almost balanced betting odds.
If you want to make a recommendation on a win, there is one question that needs to be answered first: Who do we trust more? An unusual offensive structure that was pushed to its limits at times in the first game, or a still young and inexperienced quarterback entering his second game as the undisputed number one option for his franchise?
The Falcons struggled for a long time against the Carolina Panthers in week one and in the end had their own defense to thank for allowing three turnovers to tip the game in Atlanta’s direction.
In Chicago, on the other hand, nothing new! Even with new number one quarterback Jordan Love, Green Bay didn’t miss a beat at Soldier Field, winning their fifth in a row at their division rival’s stadium. Can they build on that performance and push their win-loss record to 2-0? Or will the home side be more likely to do so? At the bookmakers – for the duel Falcons vs. Packers – the odds moved more and more in the direction of the guests in the course of the week, however, we are talking about a true “coin flip game” here.
Atlanta Falcons – statistics & current form
Veteran Falcons safety Jesse Bates III was unquestionably the standout man on Atlanta’s side in the season-opening win. Not only did he intercept two passes from rookie quarterback and “1st overall pick” Bryce Young, but he also forced a fumble. That’s where we get to a problem, though, as head coach Arthur Smith’s team scored 17 points directly on their respective offensive series after a turnover. The longest drive of the entire game was just 61 yards, making it clear that the Falcons are having a hard time moving the ball consistently, down for down, offensively.
How long does the rungame work?
Quarterback Desmond Ridder made no mistake, but also only threw the ball for 116 yards. In this offense, a quarterback making plays inside the structure is worth a lot, but evaluating him as a passer is nearly impossible. As long as the results are there, though, he’ll likely keep his starting job. It was and is an open secret that Atlanta wants to move the ball on the ground, but what happens when opposing teams can take that option away from them with a strong run defense?
Running back Bijan Robinson was selected in the draft for just such a case. He had a tremendous impact in his first game – even as a pass catcher. However, there is a feeling that the offensive framework is on shaky ground as soon as the rungame doesn’t work. In the Falcons vs. Packers game, our prediction is that the visitors will be able to get a grip on the home side’s running game.
Ten points allowed speaks for a good performance of the Atlanta defense, of course, but we wouldn’t overrate this performance either. They will have to face tougher tasks – probably already on Sunday. When the Falcons host the Packers, betting that they can hold their opponent to under 14 points, for example, would be highly risky, but of course suitably lucrative.
Key Players:
- QB: Desmond Ridder
- RB: Bijan Robinson
- WR: Drake London
- TE: Kyle Pitts
- K: Younghoe Koo
Green Bay Packers – stats & recent form
Between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, we won’t risk this prediction, because the offense of the “Cheeseheads” at “Soldier Field” looked at times like it was all of a piece. But let’s rewind for a moment: In the summer, Aaron Rodgers and the Wisconsin franchise parted ways after 18 years together. Selected as the new – undisputed franchise quarterback – was Jordan Love, drafted 26th overall by Green Bay in 2020. He was allowed to learn behind Rodgers for two years and is now expected – for perspective – to lead the franchise to a fifth Super Bowl title.
Doubt still warranted!
Doubts about that were and still are warranted, of course, as Love has rarely been fully convincing in NFL appearances thus far. But he managed to do just that in the 38-20 win at Chicago to open the new season. Love looked calm in the pocket and used his pass receivers well. Aaron Jones, in particular, had an outstanding day with 86 receiving and 41 rushing yards, including two touchdowns. His connection with the new playmaker was unmistakable.
Although Matt LaFleur’s team had to give up several wide receivers in the offseason, Love had plenty of kickoffs and spread the ball around to eight different receivers. 2nd-year receiver Romeo Doubs, rookie tight end Luke Musgrave and rookie receiver Jayden Reed got the most targets. Also missing from “Mercedes-Benz Stadium” this unit, however, is Christian Watson due to a hamstring injury.
Defensively, linebacker Quay Walker, who locked up the win with his pick-6 against the Bears, is currently questionable. He is suspected to have a concussion. All in all, this should not detract from the stable performance of the Joe Barry defense, as they defended the run very solidly in Chicago. So it’s by no means out of the question that Green Bay will manage to shut down the Atlanta running game cold.
Key Players:
- QB: Jordan Love
- RB: Aaron Jones
- WR: Romeo Doubs
- TE: Luke Musgrave
- K: Anders Carlson
Atlanta Falcons – Green Bay Packers head-to-head comparison / H2H record
Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers were still on the field the last time the two teams faced each other in 2020. The last home game was much further back, with the Atlanta Falcons last hosting the Green Bay Packers in 2017, and the betting odds on the visitors picking up their first win in the state of Illinois since 2011 are quite attractive at 1.80
Atlanta Falcons – Green Bay Packers betting tips
Only one team – the Dallas Cowboys – scored more points than the Packers in week one and that is why we are leaning our main recommendation towards them. It doesn’t even have to be 38 points for the visitors at “Mercedes-Benz Stadium”, because there are great odds to be picked up for just 21 points Green Bays in the clash between Falcons and Packers.
We also absolutely trust the guests to put their own record at 2-0. If they can even begin to execute the offense like they did at Soldier Field, this will be a number too big for Atlanta. The value is absolutely there and so this tip can also be recommended with a clear conscience.
But in addition, we do not rule out a high-scoring game by any means and therefore feel the point limit on the part of the bookies with Over-/Under 40.5 points is set too low. Here we choose the way and choose the variant that on Sunday evening at least 41 points find their way on the scoreboard.
