2023 NFL Week 2: Packers still own Da Bearz, Plus Falcons Preview & Prediction

Well, well, Packers fans. Glad to say our win prediction for last week's regular season opener in Chicago came true. Not even as close as expected: 38-20. Yay. The Pack still owns Da Bearz. Won't see them again until an end-of-season game in Lambeau Field. We'll certainly know the tale of these two teams after a long season then. As it stands, and as most national media also opined, Chicago has a lot more work to do than do the Packers.

The new owner of the Chicago Bears: Packers starting QB

Jordan Love had a spectacular opening game vs. Chicago.

(Photo via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

But for this week, against the Falcons, what do things look like? At this stage of the season, do we still really know anything much about either the Packers or Atlanta? Both 1-0. Both young. Heard one pundit say that both teams are actually fairly similar. So where do we go from here?

While it's encouraging to hear that RB Aaron Jones and WRs Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson participated in walk-throughs Friday, Jones and Watson are both listed as questionable on the injury report at the time of this writing. So is LT David Bakhtiari, but that will probably be the case for most of the season, it would seem. While we won't know the final status of these players until 90 minutes before Sunday kickoff, we do know that if the key players on offense are out or limited it will certainly impact the game plan. Conversely, LB Quay Walker got out of concussion protocol and will play, which is certainly a boost to the defense.

And that will be needed as the Pack defense will have to keep speedy rookie RB Bijan Robinson in check, along with tight end Kyle Pitts. There's enough there to present challenges, particularly if it's a tight game.

In a game such as this, a special teams play either way, for either team, could be the difference.

Still, we know that Jordan Love is not one to get rattled easily. He's playing behind a very good O-line. If Aaron Jones can't go, A. J. Dillon will need to step up. He had a bit of a down year last year and didn't show well in the first game. It's a contract year for him, so now would be a good time for him to return to his form of a few years as Quadzilla.

OK, not much of a preview, but for now...good enough.

The Prediction

The Falcons are currently favored by 1.5 points; recall that Da Bearz were favored by 1 last week against the Pack. So, basically the same...not even getting the full home field advantage. The over-under is set at 40.5 points right now; a low scoring event, in other words. To which we say: maybe.

We like the vibe of this young Packers team. They are talented and maybe they just believe it. This is a pick-em type game. And we will.

We're calling it Packers 24 - Falcons 23.

Go Pack Go!!!

2020 NFL Week 4: Packers vs. Falcons Preview and Prediction

The Green Bay Packers come into tonight's primetime game against the Atlanta Falcons at 3-0, looking fairly dominating in their performances to date, especially on offense. But before we say more, first, let's take a moment and raise a toast to that win in New Orleans last week. A great team win. We won't take the time to rehash it here. 

Back to tonight's game ... The offensive domination has been especially impressive given the team's top receiver, Davante Adams, hasn't played basically in the last 2 games and most likely will be held out again tonight despite his Tweet of early morning today indicating his frustration with that decision being taken out of his hands by management. The Falcons? Zero wins so far. Two 4th quarter lead collapses of epic proportions. But, they have weapons, including WR Julio Jones who is dressed and on the field right now for warmups. He seems to always have big games — of the 100-yard-plus variety — against the Pack. And they have QB Matt Ryan who can always go deep to receivers who can cover a lot of ground quickly.

Tonight will be a bit different for the Pack. QB Aaron Rodgers will be throwing to the B-squad receivers tonight. In addition to Adams being out, so will be Allen Lazard after a huge coming out game. It's likely there will be some other guys out, perhaps even Center Corey Linsley and, on defense, Jaire Alexander, to name just two.

So the Pack will not be firing on all cylinders tonight. Will the Falcons? And even if so, in what is a real desperation game for them (to avoid going 0-4), can they still beat the Packers?

The Prediction

The Packers come into this game favored by 7 points ... which always makes us nervous. So does the coming bye week, which can sometimes set up the current game as a trap game. Expect the Falcons to score points, expect them to go deep more than once, and likely score off those opportunities.

But the Packers have Rodgers, a creative play-caller in head coach Matt LaFleur, a versatile running back in Aaron Jones, and young tight ends who are coming on. Yes, they don't have their best wideouts in this game. But one or more of those young players will step up tonight and make a name for themselves. The Pack activated former CFL standout Reggie Begelton from the practice squad today so we may get a chance to see what he can bring to the field, too.

We think there will be a fair amount of points put up by both teams. But the Packers, unless they really are already checking out for the bye week, will put up more. And in the end, that's what matters. Let's hope the Pack can get up early and take some of the steam away from Atlanta. If that happens, the Pack will be 4-0 going into the bye.

We're calling it Packers 30 - Falcons 20.

Go Pack Go!!!