NFC North at NFC South for Packer and Falcon Rematch
pmroczka
Two of the NFC’s best teams, the Green Bay Packers (1-0) and Atlanta Falcons (1-0), meet for tonight’s Sunday Night Football game at 8:30 p.m. E.T. The Packers opened their 2017 season by beating the Seattle Seahawks 17-9. The Falcons took it to the Chicago Bear in their opener 23-17. Our Green Bay plays Atlanta 2017 NFL free pick has the Falcons at -3 and the totals at 54.0. We think that this could be a close, low-scoring game.
Green Bay Offense vs. Falcons Defense
The Packer offense churned out 395 yards in its first game, which included 311 yards in the air. Aaron Rodgers had a decent game, connecting on 66.7 percent of his passes for one TD. He was sacked four times and tossed one pick. Two pass catchers stood out in the first week, Randall Cobb (9 REC, 9.4 AVG, 0 TD) and Jordy Nelson (& REC, 11 .3 AVG, 1 TD). Ty Montgomery proved to be a dual threat, rushing for 54 yards and one touchdown and catching four passes while averaging 9.8 YPC. Davante Adams and Martellus Bennett had three catches each with Adams averaging 15.7 YPC and Bennett 14.3 YPC.
Last week, the Falcon D allowed 17 points to a Bears’ offense that today scored just seven against Tampa Bay. Atlanta put decent pressure on the quarterback, as they had four sacks. DE Brooks Reed has two of those QB bring downs. Reed had five tackles total, including one TFL. In the secondary, CB Robert Alford did his thing, earning three PD. LB Deion Jones and safety Brian Poole tied for the lead in tackles with seven. This is a good defense that should be able to hassle Rodgers and slow down the run.
Atlanta Offense vs. Packers Defense
In his first game of the 2017 season, QB Matt Ryan hit 70.0 percent of his passes connecting for one TD. He was sacked just two times and did not give up a pick. TE Austin Hooper may have had just two catches, but he made each one count as both went for 64 yards and one ended in a TD. Star WR Julio Jones took in four passes and averaged 16.5 YPC. On the ground, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman struggled, as the former averaged 3.1 YPA and the latter 2.0 YPA.
Against the Seahawks last week, the Pack forced and recovered a fumble, defended five passes, notched five TFL, and posted three sacks. It was not a bad day as they greatly slowed down the Seattle rush and controlled the air game. Corner Quinten Rollins had eight tackles, one TFL, and one PD. DT Mike Daniels and LB Nick Perry each had 1.5 sacks with Daniels also making one TFL and creating one FF. This defense has quite a few solid performers.
Green Bay Plays Atlanta 2017 NFL Free Pick
Atlanta will slow down the Packers, but we still think that Green Bay will put some points on the board. The Pack D will hamper Ryan, but Atlanta is sound on offense when it comes to both the pass and rush. Our Green Bay plays Atlanta 2017 NFL free pick likes this game under 54 points and the Packers at +3.0.
Green Bay Plays Atlanta 2017 NFL Free Pick: Green Bay at +3.0 and under 54.0 points.
