The Green Bay Packers picked up an impressive victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 1, winning 38-20. They will be looking to keep the good times rolling in Week 2 when they head on the road to face the Atlanta Falcons.
This is one of the more intriguing matchups of the week as the Falcons also picked up a victory in Week 1. They defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 and are looking to keep their positive momentum going as well.
In the long run, this matchup is a very important one. Picking up victories against conference opponents goes a long way when it comes to seeding later on in the seeding. If either team wants to make a playoff push, this is one they need to win.
How will the matchup turn out? Here are five bold predictions for the Packers vs. Falcons in Week 2.
5. Bijan Robinson Announces Presence
The Packers are going to be tested early and often once again on the ground. There isn’t a team in the NFL that likes to run the ball as much as the Falcons, who are a throwback team in every sense of the word.
They used the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on running back Bijan Robinson, who had a strong debut. His most impressive highlight was his touchdown reception, as he broke numerous tackles to find his way into the endzone.
A true dual threat, Green Bay is going to have their hands full with him. In Week 1, he handled 10 carries for 56 yards, adding six receptions for 27 yards. This week, he will have at least 100 total yards and another score.
4. The Offensive Line Steps Up Again
The biggest advantage that the Packers may have coming into this game will be in the trenches. Their offensive line played very well against the Bears, ranking first in pass-blocking grade and 14th in run-blocking.
Atlanta had the fifth-highest defensive grade in Week 1, but their pass rush was ranked 22nd. That is a matchup Green Bay should be able to exploit, as Jordan Love is going to be playing from a clean pocket once again.
Love will not be sacked in Week 2, as the offensive line is going to have another stellar performance. The Falcons are going to generate almost no pressure, only hurrying Love six times in the game.
3. Kyle Pitts Breaks Out
Anyone who watches the Falcons offensively has to be perplexed by their game plan. They used top-10 picks on tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London in 2021 and 2022 but barely get them involved in the offensive game plan outside of blocking.
But, you still need to pay attention to them as they are more than capable of shredding a defense. That is what Kyle Pitts is going to do this week, especially if Packers’ linebacker Quay Walker is limited in any way from the concussion he suffered last week.
Walker is an elite coverage linebacker, but the safeties are exploitable if the Falcons can draw up plays to get those mismatches. If Walker is sidelined, Pitts will have at least 75 yards receiving in the game and a score.
2. Darnell Savage Continues Strong Start
One of the biggest performances for the Packers in Week 1 was courtesy of safety Darnell Savage Jr. Savage has a lot to prove in 2023 after getting benched at points last season and started the campaign off with a bang.
He was great across the board, earning an overall grade of 72.3, and excelling as a run defender. His 80.2 run defense grade was second-best on the team behind only Preston Smith. Against the Falcons, the Packers are going to need that again and he will deliver.
Savage is going to have another double-digit tackles game as his run-defending skills are going to be needed. Given the expected game plan of Atlanta, Savage could be a near every down player this week against what will be a run-heavy scheme.
1. Packers Start 2-0
This is going to be a hard-fought, physical game that will come down to who can win the battle at the line of scrimmage. The Packers have the edge when they are on offense, as Jordan Love should have time in the pocket to make plays.
Conversely, the Falcons could have the advantage when they are on offense, attacking what could still be the weakness of Green Bay; their run defense. Ultimately, it will be the Packers who make enough plays and win out.
Green Bay will win the game 24-20 as Love will again make plays to put his team in a position to win. The Packers look to have the edge at quarterback, which will be the ultimate difference-maker in the outcome.
