Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons: Others’ predictions
Aaron Rodgers leads the Packers on and off the field. Raymond T. Rivard photograph
With tonight’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons being the only NFL game on the docket, we’re checking in with other experts to see how they are predicting tonight’s game …
Check them out.
Green Bay Press Gazette
Weston Hodkiewicz (11-1)
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers again proved the doubters wrong in last week’s statement victory over New England. Green Bay has way too many weapons on both sides of the ball for a letdown to surface against the Falcons, who have way too many holes. Factor in the Packers’ recent success at Lambeau Field, and this outcome seems rather academic so long as the Packers don’t hurt themselves with turnovers or miscues.
Packers 35, Falcons 18
Ryan Wood (10-2)
The shame is an NFC South team will wind up hosting a playoff game this season. The division has been putrid, with whacky results every week and no teams above .500. On paper, it will be a matchup of division leaders on “Monday Night Football,” even though Atlanta enters with a 5-7 record. But that’s misleading. Before a primetime audience, Green Bay will expose Atlanta and the NFC South in general with another home blowout.
Packers 45, Falcons 17
Pete Dougherty (9-3)
Atlanta has one of the game’s best weapons in receiver Julio Jones and despite its 5-7 record has plenty to play for as the NFC South Division leader. But it’s hard to see how the league’s last-ranked defense can slow Aaron Rodgers, EddiLacy and the No. 2 scoring offense in the league.
Packers 37, Falcons 21
Robert Zizzo (9-3)
Green Bay has too much offense, too much talent and too much home field for the Falcons, who have too little defense. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan couldn’t beat Matt Flynn one year ago; he has little chance to beat Aaron Rodgers this year.
Packers 38, Falcons 17
JSonline.com
BOB MCGINN, Packers beat reporter
Even without a pass rush, the Falcons have managed to take the ball away more times (24) than all but two teams. The coaching of Mike McCarthy and the quarterbacking of Aaron Rodgers are chiefly responsible for why the Packers lead the NFL in fewest giveaways (eight). If the Falcons have any chance of winning, they’ll need takeaways and luck.
TOM SILVERSTEIN, Packers beat reporter
Is there such a thing as a trap game? No. Is it possible the Packers come out a little flat after their emotional victory over New England? Yes. Are they going to lose to Atlanta? No. Unless they’re drinking beers before the game, they’ll win. It’s just a matter of whether it’s pretty or ugly.
Packers 34, Falcons 17
TYLER DUNNE, Packers beat reporter
Nobody is that interested in winning the NFC South this season with New Orleans getting blown out at home on Sunday. Naturally, after knocking off Arizona last week, the Falcons are due for a letdown as well. Too much Aaron Rodgers, not enough pass rush. The Falcons need just about everything to go right in this game for an upset. Don’t count on it.
Packers 37, Falcons 14
LORI NICKEL, Packers beat reporter
The Falcons rank third in takeaways (24), but Green Bay is just too stingy there typically.
Packers 31, Falcons 21
RICK KLAUER, Packer Plus editor
Don’t be fooled by Atlanta’s 5-7 record. Leading the NFC South, the Falcons are thinking about the postseason and will come to Lambeau Field looking to brawl. The Packers are on another level, however, and can’t let a team like Atlanta prove otherwise.
Packers 31, Falcons 24
Packers Plus
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Zach Kruse of cheeseheadtv.com
No more betting against Aaron Rodgers at home. And especially against a team that can’t rush the quarterback or protect its own. That’s a blowout recipe at Lambeau Field this season.
Prediction: Packers 45, Falcons 24
Michael Compton of RantSports
The Falcons offense, piloted by quarterback Matt Ryan, is capable of putting up points, but the edge goes to the Packers if this game turns into a shootout. Atlanta’s offensive line has been plagued by injuries this year, and the porous unit has failed to protect Ryan, who has absorbed more than his share of punishment from opposing defenses. It’s a storyline that is likely to continue on Monday night.
With receivers like Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb and running back Eddie Lacyout of the backfield, Rodgers and the Packers make scoring look easy. They are second in the league in points per game (31.7) and in the top 10 in yards and passing yards. Nelson and Cobb each have 10 touchdowns this season, while Lacy has added six touchdowns on the ground and also has three receiving scores.
This might be a matchup of two teams in identical spots in their respective divisions, but the Packers pack a serious punch and are in another class altogether. If Green Bay starts fast, this one could get lopsided in a hurry.
Prediction: Packers 35, Falcons 21
International Business Times
The Packers’ No.2 scoring offense has propelled them atop the NFC North, but their defense has more than done its job. Green Bay has held its last four opponents to 21 points or fewer, including the Patriots, who are averaging 31.5 points per game. The Packers are undefeated when scoring at least 24 points in a game.
Not only have the Packers been unbeatable at home, but the Falcons and Matt Ryan are not as good on the road. Atlanta’s quarterback has thrown for 13 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 68.8 completion percentage at home, compared to eight scores, six picks and a 63.2 completion percentageaway from the Georgia Dome. Ryan has a career 98.2 passer rating at home and an 85.1 passer rating on the road.
Prediction: Green Bay over Atlanta, 38-23
All Green Bay Packers
| GAME PREDICTIONS Week 14 Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Record To-Date | This Week’s Pick | Score Prediction |
| Kris Burke | 8-4 | Green Bay Packers | |
| “Jersey” Al Bracco | 9-3 | Green Bay Packers | 45-21 |
| Blew it last week. Probably my only chance to catch up in the standings here. In any case, I see a typical Monday night shootout, but with one team doing most of the shooting. | |||
| Adam Czech | 10-2 | Green Bay Packers | 40-27 |
| The Falcons will move the ball, especially if Shields and Daniels miss the game. But they won’t be able to match Aaron Rodgers and Co. as the Packers pull away in the second half. | |||
| Thomas Hobbes | 9-3 | Green Bay Packers | 27-17 |
| I actually think fans are underestimating the Falcons; yes they have a poor record, but they still are a better than average team. With that being said, the Packers best performance will destroy the Falcons best performance, so all that matters is that the Packers get out of their own success. | |||
| Chad Toporski | 9-3 | Green Bay Packers | 42-24 |
| At this point, the fans are just waiting for the playoffs to start. Fortunately, I don’t think the players take the next four games the same way. They are a focused group who keep their focus on what’s directly in front of them, and right now that’s the Falcons. | |||
| Jason Perone | 9-3 | Green Bay Packers | 38-17 |
| It’s another big home win for the Packers. Atlanta may be leading the NFC South and better than their record indicates, but there’s no team better in the NFL right now than Green Bay. Atlanta isn’t the same team on the road and they struggle to keep up with the Packers’ high-octane offense. | |||
| Jay Hodgson | 9-3 | Green Bay Packers | 31-24 |
| The Packers continue to surge towards the playoffs. This game could be a “trap” game because the Falcons are having a down year. However, if the Packers take them seriously, they should have their way passing on the weak Falcons’ secondary. The Falcons are improving, and have shown they can score points, so this game will be closer than most expect. | |||
| Cory Jennerjohn | 10-2 | Green Bay Packers | 38-17 |
| The only way the Packers lose is if they get lost driving to Lambeau. This game will be over by the second quarter. The Packers’ biggest weakness is stopping the run and the Falcons counter with an old and worn-out running back. Case closed. | |||
| Andy Burch | 8-4 | Green Bay Packers | 38-21 |
| The Falcons will be fighting with everything they have, because even though they’re 5-7 they are in first place in their division, and they want to keep it that way. The Packers will be too much for them since the game is at Lambeau. I think the Packers defense is fueled from their performance against the Patriots and they hold the Falcons offense in check, except for Julio Jones if Sam Shields isn’t playing. |