The Green Bay Packers picked up an impressive victory on the road in Week 1 over the Chicago Bears, winning 38-20. They will look to replicate that performance in Week 2, as they head south to take on the Atlanta Falcons.
Like the Packers, the Falcons won their season opener against a divisional foe in dominant fashion. They defeated the Carolina Panthers, ruining the debut of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young.
Just like last week for both teams, this week is projected by oddsmakers to be another close game. Depending on where you look, it could be the shortest-lined game of the week as the Packers are two-point favorites. The only game with a shorter spread at some books is the Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans.
This will be another stiff test for the Packers’ defense on the ground. Last season Green Bay was one of the worst run defense teams in the NFL. They got off to a strong start against the Bears, but the Falcons have a top-tier rushing attack as well.
Second-year player Tyler Allgeier led the team with 75 yards on 15 carries. Dynamic rookie Bijan Robinson, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, had 55 yards on 10 carries as Atlanta wants to run the ball early and often.
If the Packers can slow that down and force Desmond Ridder into having to make plays, they will put themselves in a position to win a second straight road game. And that is exactly what Jeremy Cluff of The Arizona Republic believes will happen. Cluff has predicted that the Packers will come away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a 24-17 victory, pushing their record to 2-0 on the season.
“We might have been a little too down on Jordan Love, judging from his Week 1 performance. Green Bay can win the NFC North with him at quarterback,” Cluff wrote about his prediction.
This is one of the more intriguing matchups of Week 2 as both teams are in a position to really set the tone for their season. If both are in the playoff race late in the season, a conference win over another playoff contender would go a long way.
