The Falcons come in with an 0-3 record, but could very easily be 2-1 after handing the Cowboys a game on a botched onside kick recovery and losing a late lead against the Bears last week. The Packers have been off to a hot start behind a sizzling offensive attack and sit at 3-0. As expected, sportsbooks are heavily favoring the Packers with odds.
Green Bay is the highest scoring offense in the league at this point, putting up an astonishing 40.7 points per game, while the Falcons rank 6th at 30 points per contest. Neither team has been stellar defensively. The Packers rank 21st in points allowed at just over 28 per game and the Falcons are dead last, giving up a whopping 36 points per game.
Offensively, the Falcons are led by quarterback Matt Ryan, who has thrown for 961 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s found Calvin Ridley 21 times for 349 yards and four touchdowns. Tight end Hayden Hurst has been on the receiving end of two Ryan touchdown passes. All-Pro Julio Jones missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, but practiced on Thursday and is on schedule to play. Running back Todd Gurley has been solid with 197 yards with two touchdowns. Kicker Younghoe Koo has delivered on 8-of-9 field goal attempts.
For the Packers, the two Aaron’s have stolen the show. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 887 yards with nine touchdowns and has yet to be interception. Aaron Rodgers has slashed through opposing defenses for 303 yards and four touchdowns. The wide receiver tandem of Davante Adams and Allen Lazard have decimated defenses so far with a combined 30 receptions and four touchdowns, and tight end Robert Tonyan has also added two touchdowns. Kicker Mason Crosby has been automatic, converting on all eight attempts.
Defensively, the Falcons has sacked opposing quarterbacks six times, led by defensive tackle Grady Jarrett’s 2.5. They have also forced six fumbles and have two interceptions. The Packers have had a more balanced and more effective pass rush, taking down quarterbacks eight times. Both teams are in the positive in the turnover differential, however the Packers have only three takeaways compared to five for the Falcons.
The Packers lead the overall series between the teams 18-16 and won the last meeting at home on December 9, 2018 by the score of 34-20. Green Bay enters this game as a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 57 ½.
just want to say again that the Packers defense is dead last in the NFL in opponents points per play. The Falcons are currently #30 Up from #31, as the Jets must have had a bad defensive effort last night.
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Opponents points per play indicate in part how quick offenses are scoring, usually a defense is not doing well in the red zone as they are giving up TDs vs field goals or no points. Red zone defense is a problem this year. unlike last year. A defense is being put in bad field positions from offensive turnovers or poor punts. We know this is not the case so far as the offense has been spot on. A defense is allowing shock or explosive plays that result in quick TDs. Explosive touchdown plays are a major problem so far this year for the Packers defense! I believe getting Kenny Clark back will be a major plus for Packer defense, but Clark can’t help the other defenders wrap up on tackles or cover receivers.
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I think Koo the Falcon’s kicker is injured. The Falcon’s kicker will probably be Elliot Fry who last kicked for the Bears early last year.
I wonder why the Packers wouldn’t immediately put Lazard on IR. Do they think he can recover in less than 3 weeks?
I don’t get it.
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I’m also wondering if it will be this week, or next week when they announce that Kirksey needs surgery on a torn pectoral tendon.
Its all good. Pack have 4 TEs that they surprisingly now like getting involved and they can line up Irvin and Jones as WR. Offense shouldnt miss a beat. I also feel like this team if they have to can just line up and pound the ball with RBs for most of a game. Versatility! Mcflurry never heard of it. LaFleur embraces it.
https://www.wbay.com/2020/10/03/250-green-bay-doctors-sign-open-letter-to-elected-officials-we-are-overwhelmed/
Tony Evers continues to be thwarted by State Senate Republican majority leader Fitzgerald and crew. Repugnant! Over 209,000 deaths in America and rising! Why do they continue to stop Evers at every turn? Politics suck! People are suffering in this pissing match!
Like sending a letter to Evers is going to do any fucking good. After reading that link provided by Kato, they should have included Robin Vos, speaker of the Assembly in their letter. For those that don’t like politics, skip the links I’m including. When the rest of the country is using Wisconsin as a textbook case in partisan politics rather than doing what is right for their constituents you get an idea of what a joke politics are in Wisconsin. The only thing good about living here right now is knowing where all the deluded, intolerant, redneck, right wing racists live varying in scale by the size of their yard signs and the sheer number of signs covering their property. Unfortunately, driving throughout Wisconsin shows me I’m right to want to leave when I retire next year. RIP George Carlin (the YouTube link). Dude was prescient.
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https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/10/wisconsin-voter-restrictions-democracy-coronavirus-primary
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acLW1vFO-2Q
Yep! Without question! “It is a big club . . . and you aren’t in it!” The best of his many TRUTHFUL RANTS.
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The Republican leaders in the State of Wisconsin have been CITED many times over the last few years in articles about what NOT to do in politics and what NOT to do to their constituents, and just how repugnant that their “partisan” politics and authoritarian policies have been, and continue to be. If the average Wisconsinite actually paid attention to what this fascist WI. Republican party was actually doing, they would become apoplectic over the level of egregious activity by what these “new” Republican “NAZI’s” are doing.
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The best part about it? Is that the people that may get mad at me for saying this just NEED to go and check it out! It is ALL out in the open! These creeps are that bold! They just know that their base is that DISENGAGED from the real news.
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https://i.redd.it/ew1z5s0twvt21.jpg
MMSUCKS- idk man. It sucks, I don’t know why these games are being played. MaSkS iMpEdE muh FrEeDoMs. I hope the Packers coaching and leaders are really pushing them to be responsible
As I predicted, the young men cannot keep themselves away from social interaction and getting laid (can you blame them?). Another game; Kansas City and New England postponed due to players testing positive for Covid-19. These guys cannot be stopped. They need their “party time”. Enjoy the remaining games. The season will most likely NOT last . . . Start pulling those “projects” and “hobbies” out. Bummer. Trusting that this is an overreaction on my part, and nothing more . . .
MMSUCKS there was an article about one of the Griffin brothers on Seattle (the one with one hand) being cut. But then eventually landing back on the practice squad. The other brother helped him with that stress, and the article goes on to state that they went to a lake house with friends on an off day. First thing that came to mind was “really?”
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I get it this has been tough on a lot of people, I haven’t really seen many friends since this has started. But people have to be smart about this, and that probably wasn’t a smart idea on their part
The first 3 weeks went by better than anyone expected….i think the players got to comfortable and let down their guard a bit.
The league is still in good shape. But all team’s personnel need to regroup and focus.
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If/when it gets critical, then i’ll get worried. Until then…..the NFL lives on.
I am starting to have serious doubts about whether this season will be completed. Players aren’t taking personal responsibility very seriously it seems. At least the Packers players appear to be being smart, for now