Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons: Week 2 Odds, Lines, Picks & Best Bets
- Who: Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
- When: Sunday, Sept. 17 (Week 2)
- Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Betting Odds Summary
- Spread: Packers +1.5 (-110), Falcons -1.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Packers +105, Falcons -125
- Total: Over/Under 40.5 (-110/-110)
Odds from Bet365. Subject to change.
For the first time in 18 years, the Green Bay Packers began an NFL season without four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. With Rodgers in New York and sadly done for the year, 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love can finally emerge as the team’s franchise quarterback.
Thanks to the 2023-24 NFL schedule, his first test came against the Packers’ longtime rival, the Chicago Bears. Love passed the test with flying colors, leading Green Bay to a 38-20 win on the road. On top of that, Love was nearly flawless, throwing for 245 yards and three touchdowns while committing no turnovers.
The Packers came into the season as a team that was middle of the pack regarding Super Bowl aspirations. After a strong showing in Week 1, however, Green Bay has proved they might have something special in Love. The most significant question this weekend will be the health of Christian Watson. The Packers were able to win without him, but he showed last year that he is a true WR1 in the making.
There are only so many games you can win without your top wideout, but what makes matters even more challenging is that running back Aaron Jones was also added to the injury report. Both players are questionable for Sunday, which is worth monitoring as kickoff approaches.
The Atlanta Falcons believe they have found something special of their own, which comes in the form of rookie running back Bijan Robinson. In his first NFL game, Robinson split carries with Tyler Allgeier, but his 11-yard touchdown off a screen pass was something out of a video game. Robinson caught the screen pass, immediately made the defender miss with an incredible juke and then rumbled into the end zone for his first NFL touchdown.
Atlanta has the second-best NFL futures odds in the NFC South, which does not say much for a division that is the weakest in the entire league.
The problem with the Falcons is not on the defensive side of the ball. Their defense pressured the Carolina Panthers’ offensive line all game, and the secondary was stingy, forcing tough plays for rookie Bryce Young. The strength of their defense is the secondary, where free agent acquisition Jessie Bates intercepted two passes in his first game with Atlanta.
The Falcons’ biggest problem is at quarterback, which in today’s NFL means it will be a dogfight to compete in every game. Desmond Ridder may have been efficient, completing 15-of-18 passes for just 115 yards, but in a league dominated by the passing game, Atlanta is behind the eight ball.
Moneyline
Both of these teams won their first game, but it was clear the Packers were more dynamic in Week 1. Despite that, the moneyline has the Falcons as slight home favorites over the Packers.
There is still much to be figured out from both starting quarterbacks, but Green Bay is further down the road with the development of Love. On top of that, the defense looked good against Justin Fields and the Bears, and the offensive line is still strong as long as David Bakhtiari is in the lineup.
The Packers should start the season 2-0 by beating Atlanta on the road and will head to their home opener next week on top of the NFC North.
Spread
Online betting sites set the spread at just 1.5 points in favor of Atlanta, probably because Green Bay’s injury report shows both Watson and Jones as questionable for Sunday’s contest.
Even if those two guys sit, the Packers have more roster depth. Unfortunately for Falcons fans, head coach Arthur Smith has not figured out how to best utilize his best weapons in Kyle Pitts and Drake London.
Pitts had just two catches, and London had only one target in their Week 1 win. Atlanta has trouble expanding the field and will focus solely on the run game. Because of this, Green Bay’s defense should take advantage and get the road win.
Over/Under Total
Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under low at 40.5 points because this game will come down to the defenses. Despite the Packers nearly eclipsing the Over last week by themselves, they will go up against a much stingier defense in the Falcons.
Green Bay’s defense looked good in Week 1, holding the explosive Fields to 216 yards passing and 59 yards on the ground. The Packers also sacked him four times and forced two turnovers.
This game will come down to which defense plays better, which is why the Under makes sense.
Same-Game Parlay
- Packers Moneyline (+105)
- A.J. Dillon Anytime Touchdown (+105)
- Desmond Ridder Under 186.5 Passing Yards (-120)
- Drake London Under 48.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
Combined Odds: +900
When it boils down to the coach and the quarterback play, Green Bay has a clear advantage, and in today’s NFL, that’s all you need. Matt LaFleur has tapped into the strength of Love. Even without his top target last week, they found a way to win handily.
This week won’t be that same kind of domination. However, for the first leg of our same-game parlay, we’re taking the slight road underdog to come away with the upset.
The Packers may be without Jones, but even if he plays, they have great depth at the running back position in A.J. Dillon. Dillon had just 13 carries for 19 yards last week, but with Jones nursing a hamstring injury, you can bet on him to have more of a presence in the offense.
As mentioned, Atlanta’s offense is shaky right now. Even with some flashy new toys, it can’t get things clicking. That may change as the season continues, but quarterback Desmond Ridder is going through some growing pains for now. He has gone under 200 passing yards three times in his five starts, so expect a similar performance against a Green Bay secondary that is among the league’s best.
Sticking with that trend, take the Under for London’s receiving yards player prop. London is the Falcons’ clear No. 1 wideout and somehow managed to get just one target last week against the Panthers. Jaire Alexander is one of the game’s best cornerbacks and will cover London for most of the match. With Ridder struggling to throw the ball deep and Alexander on London, expect another quiet game from London.
This parlay has odds of +900, meaning a winning $100 wager would pay out $900 in profits along with your original stake.
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
