Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers travel to Atlanta after beating Chicago last week 38-20. The Packers look to improve to 2-0 on the year. The game kicks off at noon on Sunday, and it should make for a good one.
Here is the week 2 PackerNotes staff predictions.
PackersNotes Staff Prediction: Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Jimmy Malchow: Packers 20-17
The Packers have yet to receive the deserved respect they are due since Rodgers left. Beating the brakes off what was supposed to be a vastly improved Bears team was thrown out the door. The Packers can change the narrative on Sunday.
The Falcons can run the ball well. This is the game if the Packers defense wants to prove they aren’t the same old team. If they can stop the run, they will win the game. Desmond Ridder has not shown to be willing to push the ball down the field. I believe the Packers defense shows up Sunday and makes a statement.
As for the Packers offense, take care of the ball. Possibly no Jones, Watson, or Bakhtiari. This is a game where it is next man up. Rookies Luke Musgrave and Jayden Reed should be primed for a big game. I expect this game to be a low-scoring defensive battle and Green Bay to come out on top.
Zach Weller: Packers 27-17
I expect the Green Bay Packers to take care of business Sunday and hand the Falcons their first loss of the season. The Packers could have done a better job stopping the run against the Bears in week 1. I expect the Packers to sell out to stop Robinson and Allgeier, who had an impressive week 1, and force Desmond Ridder to beat them through the air.
Offensively, the Packers are primed for another strong showing. The Panthers exposed some undisciplined secondary play from the Falcons and should allow the Packers some easy opportunities downfield. Even if Aaron Jones can’t go Sunday in the run game, AJ Dillon should look better than he did in week 1.
Dillon Graff: Packers 24-17
I understand the Green Bay Packers beat the lowly Chicago Bears in week 1, and there’s no reason to overreact. I still want to react because there were nothing but positives to take away from week 1.
The Packers looked better in all three phases than I initially anticipated. Jordan Love showed good command of the offense, the offensive line was terrific, special teams made plays, and the pass rush was filthy.
Which brings me to my next point…
The Falcons passing game doesn’t scare me whatsoever. If the pass rush put half as much pressure on Desmond Ridder as they did against Justin Fields and add a few extra bodies in the box to stop the run, I don’t see any reason why the Packers should lose this one.
Yes, the offense will be a roller coaster all season long, but you’ll have that with a core this young. Scoring points and moving the chains might not be a walk in the park, but if they take care of the ball, give me the Packers in a game that doesn’t feel as close as the score indicates.
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