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Packers vs. Falcons: Preview, score prediction for Week 2

By Derek Snyder

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Taylor Gabriel #18 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch against LaDarius Gunter #36 of the Green Bay Packers in the second half in the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Taylor Gabriel #18 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch against LaDarius Gunter #36 of the Green Bay Packers in the second half in the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers will be meeting up for the first time since they squared off in the NFC Championship eight months ago. It was the Dirty Birds who got up early and kept on scoring, earning them the franchises second-ever trip to the NFL’s most prestigious game: the Super Bowl.

Handling the Packers 44-21, Atlanta will be seeing a Green Bay football team that is hungry to beat them and beat them bad. Aaron Rodgers rarely gets rattled, so Falcons defense can expect him to come into Mercedes-Benz Stadium looking for blood on Sunday night.

That being said, I don’t expect Green Bay to come in and have their way with the Falcons. There’s a reason why the Falcons blew the Packers out at the end of last season and both squads are fairly the same. Take a look at both team’s keys to victory.

Falcons Keys to Victory

Get Pressure on Aaron Rodgers: Even though the Falcons were able to get four sacks on Sunday afternoon against the Bears, they couldn’t consistently get any push on the defensive line. We truly do have to give credit to the Bears’ offensive line, as the only times Atlanta got to Mike Glennon was when the play broke down. That being said, the Falcons have to play better on the defensive-line against Green Bay. If Rodgers has time to throw the football and go through his progressions, the Dirty Birds will be in major trouble.

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Stay Committed to Running the Football: While most people are expecting this to be a shoot-out between Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers, I believe that the Falcons’ biggest key to victory will be staying committed to running the ball. Atlanta tried to get the ground game going against Chicago, but the Bears were getting great push on the line and gave Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman zero opportunities for the big play. If the Falcons can end this game around 100 rushing yards, don’t be shocked to see the Dirty Birds knock off the Pack for the third-straight time.

Packers Keys to Victory

Stop Julio Jones: This is probably the biggest “Well Duh” point that I have ever written, but it couldn’t be more true for the Packers on Sunday night. Julio Jones was one of the biggest X-factors in the NFC Championship, as he went for 180 total receiving yards against Green Bay. With major injuries to the Pack’s secondary, Ryan and Jones found a strong connection all game long. That said, Green Bay has to take their chances on double-teaming Jones this weekend. Yes, Atlanta has offensive play-makers all around, but none of them are as dangerous as Jones.

Attack, Attack, Attack: This is an important key for both the Packers defensive unit on Sunday night. When the Falcons offense gets going, it’s extremely hard to stop. That said, they must send pressure on Matt Ryan throughout the entire game. Green Bay doesn’t possess a defensive-secondary that can take over a game, but things can be made easier if the line can get to Ryan. The Falcons’ offensive-line struggled against Chicago last weekend, which means there’s a chance Green Bay can takeover in this aspect of the game on Sunday as well.

Odds

Point Spread: Atlanta -2.5
Moneyline: Green Bay +104, Atlanta -105
Over/Under: 53.5

via Sportsbookreview.com

Next: NFL 2017: 20 Bold predictions for Week 2

Prediction

As usual, the Falcons and Packers are going to give everyone one heck of a football game to watch. With two NFL MVP quarterbacks at the helm, two great coaches and two passionate fanbases, this could be the game of the season.

That being said, I think the Falcons’ will bounce back defensively from a rough first weekend in Chicago and get to Aaron Rodgers multiple times on Sunday Night Football. Atlanta wins this game in exciting fashion.

Pick: Green Bay Packers: 31, Atlanta Falcons 35

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