The Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons Week 2 NFL gambling matchup could, in the face of one of the league’s most powerful passing games, feature some more of the Packer’s new “nitro” defense. Or, rather, “new” nitro defense. Matt Ryan threw, against Green Bay, in the 2016 NFC Championship Game, for 392 yards, 180 of which yards went to Julio Jones. So, what better time, other than against the Falcons, to hit that NOS?
- Date: Sunday, 17th September
- Time: 8:30 PM
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Sportsbook Odds for fans who bet on NFL games online:
Packers +3 (-125) 53½ (-110) +130
Falcons -3 (+105) 53½ (-110) -150
Nitrous oxide defense has Clinton Dix all Ha Ha
On Sunday, the Packers trotted out, successfully, their defense against Seahawks, a 17-9 win. “The key to the game was our defense,” starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who kept, due to his own wobbly o-line, running around for dear life, said at the post-game news conference. “If they play like that (for the rest of the season), we’ll be tough to beat.” Just like, you know, an urchin living under the street, they could be a hard case that’s tough to beat.
Stats to Consider
Green Bay’s defense, to Rodgers’s point, allowed only 225 total yards – 135 through the air – and sacked Russell Wilson, Seattle’s QB, on three occasions. The Packers are not likely, with this new and improved defense, to allow as many as the 44 points they allowed the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game, but they will, seeing as how the spread is only three points, have their hands full trying to keep Matty Ice & Co. from covering it. Green Bay is 6-14 against the NFL gambling spread in their last 20 games against NFC South foes, though they are 4-2 ATS in the last six visits to Atlanta.
What Super Bowl hangover?
The Falcons showed, against the Bears on Sunday, no sign of slowing down following their Super Bowl LI meltdown. And it figures, too; if anyone knows a few hangover-avoiding tips, that must be Steve ‘Cutty Sark’ Sarkisian.
Matt Ryan finished 21 of 30 with a league-second best 321 yards and one TD, as well as a 116.1 passer rating. The Packers, who kept the Seahawks to just 90 rushing yards could, like the Bears did, limit Atlanta’s running game, in which case Matty Ice’s passing prowess could, once again, make the difference between, not just winning or losing, but also covering the spread.
A high scoring affair
This one has, in spite of Green Bay’s defense and Atlanta’s running issues, the makings of a high-scoring affair. The two teams have combined, in their last three meetings, for an average of 70 points per game, well over the 53½ projected for Sunday. The total has, in addition to that, gone over in 10 straight Falcons home games, in nine of their last 10 overall games, and in nine of their last 13 against the Packers. The NFL gambling total has; moreover, gone over in four of the last six times Atlanta has hosted Green Bay.