Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers: Monday Night Football Preview and Predictions

By Shawn Stewart

Monday, Oct. 5 at 8:15 p.m. ET

ESPN

SPREAD: Packers, -7.5

The Monday Night matchup features two teams going in opposite directions. The Packers seem like they can't be stopped and have come out of the gate on fire to start the season  3-0.  The Packers are the first team in NFL history to have at least 35 points and no turnovers in each of its first three games.  On the other side of the ball, the Falcons can't stop anybody especially in the 4th quarter when it counts, and it has cost them games and put them in an 0-3 hole to start the season.  This contest does feature two of the best offenses in the NFL and we could be in for a shootout at Lambeau Field.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers offense is on fire early into the season.  They beat the Vikings on the road in week 1 to kick off the season, They blew out the Lions week 2 at home. The Lions apparently have demons in Green Bay, because it seems like they can't beat the Packers at Lambeau, and finally  the Packers beat a very solid Saints team in week 3 in New Orleans, which is not an easy task, even without fans.

Atlanta Falcons

Nick Foles (9) replaces Mitchell Trubisky in Week 3 come from behind win. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)

The Falcons, on the other hand, have not been as fortunate the first 3 weeks of the season. They ran into a juggernaut in week one when they had to play Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, and right now Wilson is the MVP of the league. In week 2, the Falcons seemed to forget there are 4 quarters of football, because they let the Cowboys roar back, recover an on-side kick, and march down the field to kick the game-winning field goal. This should have never happened, and you would think the Falcons learned their lesson, but in week 3, once again they had a big lead against the Bears, and Nick Foles, not Mitchell Trubiksy was the hero for the Bears, and we all watched the Falcons have another second-half collapse.  If they have any chance of getting their first win of the season, then the defense needs to play all four quarters. 

Prediction

This matchup could feature not one, but two possible future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Matt Ryan for the Falcons, and Aaron Rodgers for the Packers. Through the first 3 games, Matt Ryan has thrown for 961 yards and 7 touchdowns. On the other side, Aaron Rodgers is playing like a man on a mission to get back to the Super Bowl and bring the trophy back to Lambeau. Rodgers, through the first three games, has thrown for 867 yards and 9 touchdowns.  Each team has a superstar receiver that did not play last week due to injury. An ankle injury sidelined Davante Adams and  Julio Jones, for the Falcons has been dealing with a hamstring injury. If these two superstars can come back healthy, it will make for an interesting evening on the offensive side of the ball. While Devante Adams and Julio Jones have been out and dealing with injures, other players on their respective teams have stepped up in a big way. Calvin Ridley has been the go-to guy for Matt Ryan. In three games this season, Ridley has 21 receptions for 349 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns. There are also rumors spreading around that Julio Jones could be traded. Would the Falcons actually consider doing that? On the other side, with Adams out, Allen Lazard has been a nice surprise with 254 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in 3 games, but the Packers will be without Lazard for a while as he is dealing with an injury, and Adams could also miss this week's matchup as well. 

Aaron Rodgers (12) has the Green Bay Packers undefeated heading into Week 4. (Photo: The Athletic)

The running game has been stellar for the Packers, with Aaron Jones leading the way with 303 yards and 4 touchdowns in three games. On the other side, Todd Gurley and the Falcons running game has not been able to get much going. Gurley has only carried for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns.  This has put a lot of pressure on Matt Ryan, and since the Falcons are not able to run the ball, they can't control the clock, which allows the opposing team back into the game with a chance to make things interesting and put Falcons fans on edge.  The last two weeks for the Falcons is a perfect example. I think the team that can establish the run early and open up some play-action plays is going to win the game. This favors Green Bay because their running game has been successful and Aaron Rodgers throws one of the best deep balls in the NFL.  If the Falcons stand any chance in this game, they need the defense to show up and maybe create a few turnovers, because the Falcons offense is not the problem right now. Get comfortable though because we could be in for a wild ride on Monday, and yes Hank Williams Jr., we are ready for some football!

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Packers 38 - 27

AJ’S PREDICTION: Packers 38 - 34

CADE’S PREDICTION: Falcons 14 - 7

TIMOTHY’S PREDICTION: Packers 34 - 27

SHAYNE’S PREDICTION: Packers 35 - 21

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