Packers @ Falcons Week 2 Game Preview
Geoff Ulrich breaks down the details of the Week 2 matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons.
Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons
Both of these teams head into week 2 at 1-0, although neither had what I’d call an overly impressive week 1 win.
The Packers beat the Bears by multiple scores—and were up by three scores at one point—but the game was broken open by Bears blown coverages and mistakes more so than Green Bay dominance.
The Packers aren’t talentless obviously, and their depth shone through in week 1 as Aaron Jones (9-41-1, 2-86-1) was able to step up and provide the big plays they needed with Christian Watson out of the lineup. Jones looked great and reeled off a couple of amazing catch and runs, the second of which was a short slant where he broke the ankles of a Bears linebacker before sprinting off for a 35-yard TD.
Jones unfortunately hurt his hamstring on the play and is now listed as questionable for week 2. If he and Watson both miss the game or are limited, that’s a major issue for Green Bay.
Outside of Jones (who had 86 receiving yards on 2 catches) the Packers' next best receiver was Luke Musgrave (3-50), who saw most of his yardage come on a broken play/blown coverage.
Musgrave had a couple of chances for longer plays in this game but looks like he’ll be more of a boom or bust option for fantasy, especially once the Packers' offense is at full health.
Luckily for the Packers, both Jones and Watson sound like they have a chance to play this week. Jordan Love (245-3-0) needs at least one of them because without those two catch and runs by Jones, his Week 1 stats wouldn’t look as rosy.
Atlanta’s defense didn’t muster much pressure against Carolina, but their coverage was solid.
They picked off Bryce Young twice and were able to limit Carolina to just 3.3 yards per attempt. Atlanta may also get back cornerback Jeff Okaduh, a former first-round pick, for this game as well.
If Love doesn’t have his full complement of weapons, it wouldn’t be shocking if Atlanta’s secondary was able to limit the big plays again, and bait Love into his first INT of the season as well.
Sep 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a touchdown pass in the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta only threw the ball 18 times in Week 1, although to his credit, Desmond Ridder (15-18, 115) completed 15 of those attempts.
Ridder also faced the highest pressure rate of any QB in week 1 and will face another solid D-line this week in Green Bay, who sacked Justin Fields four times. With another tough pass rush on tap, staying with the under on Ridder’s passing totals may have some appeal when props get released.
The other reason I wouldn’t expect much of a bounce back from Drake London or Kyle Pitts this week is that Green Bay was allowing Chicago to pick up chunks in the middle—when Chicago actually ran up the middle.
While some of the Bears' 122 yards rushing came from Justin Fields scrambles, there were nice runs by D'Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert last week too.
Considering how good Bijan Robinson (10-56) and Tyler Allgeier (15-75-2) looked against a tough D-line in Carolina, seeing one of them push for 100+ yards this week is very conceivable.
Robinson outsnapped Allgeier, but it’s worth noting that Allgeier looks like he profiles as the preferred red zone back after out-touching Robinson 4-3 in the red zone and 18-16 overall.
The spread right now sits at Green Bay -1.0 as Jordan Love’s solid opener has instilled confidence back into the Packers, who many thought might regress even more this season.
Atlanta didn’t have the prettiest of wins in Week 1, but they face a weaker rush defense in Green Bay, and their coverage unit was extremely solid in the opener.
The injury report for Green Bay will be vital as Aaron Jones and Christian Watson are difference makers, and without them, the Falcons would be a far more appealing betting target.