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The Falcons dominated last year’s matchup and return many of the same players. They get this game at home in the first regular season contest in their new stadium, so the crowd should be rocking. The Packers are going to be the underdogs but they are coming off a solid win against the Seattle Seahawks and will aim to knock off another top-tier foe.
While it is very early, a lot may be able to get gleaned from this contest between two NFC powers.
This contest in Week 2 of the regular season will go down Sunday, September 17, 2017, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Green Bay Packers +3
Atlanta Falcons -3
Over/Under 53.5
Odds Analysis
The Falcons won the most recent matchup convincingly but there isn’t as much faith in Atlanta this year. The Falcons struggled to put away the lowly Bears last time out and about 70 percent of the money is coming in on Green Bay to cover this spread even at -115. The scoring total is high since both of these offenses are elite, but the “under” is the choice as bettors are thinking there may be some early-season hiccups.
The Packers are +135 on the moneyline and are getting 83 percent of the early action. Atlanta is -155 to win this game outright.
Injury Report
Alex Mack -- The Falcons’ star center was listed as limited with a back injury on Wednesday’s injury report, but it seems likely he will play. Atlanta’s offense has improved as its line has gotten better in recent years, and Mack’s acquisition was a big part of that.
Brian Bulaga and David Bakhtiari -- The Packers have offensive line concerns of their own as Bulaga and Bakhtiari, the team’s starting tackles, are both on the injury report to start the week. Keep an eye on their availability as Sunday draws closer. The Falcons don’t have an elite pass rush, but Vic Beasley is solid. If he can get to Aaron Rodgers a couple times it will give the Falcons defense a big boost.
Matchup To Watch
Aaron Rodgers vs. Matt Ryan -- Ryan is the reigning Most Valuable Player of the NFL and took Atlanta to the Super Bowl a season ago. He got the better of this matchup in the playoffs and the Falcons return star pass-catcher Julio Jones as well as Devonta Freeman and other key skill players.
Rodgers has long been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and he has all of his receivers healthy. The Packers only scored 17 points last week against the Seahawks, but that’s a great defense, and Rodgers made the plays needed in the victory.
Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams have been joined by Martellus Bennett as Rodgers’ main weapons. If either quarterback if off in this game, it will probably spell doom for his squad since the other is so elite.
Free ATS Pick
While the Falcons have the same cast of players, they are without star offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who moved on to coach the 49ers. Atlanta’s offense is likely to take a step back this season, and Green Bay will take advantage in this one.
The Falcons are a good team but played out of their minds last season to make the Super Bowl. They will come back down to earth in this one and the Packers will take advantage by pulling off this upset.
NFL Odds: Packers 28, Falcons 26
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