Packers at Falcons Week 2 Game Predictions

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers have never opened a season with a 2-0 record by winning both games on the road. Can they make history on Sunday at the Atlanta Falcons?

Here are our expert picks.

Bill Huber, Packer Central

I should copy and paste last week’s botched prediction. A week ago, with Christian Watson ruled out due to a hamstring injury, I wondered how Jordan Love would be able to cobble together enough big-play strikes on offense to beat a Bears team that I thought would be significantly improved after an offseason spending binge.

Well, I got that wrong, due in large part to a couple huge catches by running back Aaron Jones. I’ll stick with the same line of thinking this week with Watson and Jones not expected to play against the Falcons.

Love had a strong debut at Chicago, but a quarterback can only do so much. Can AJ Dillon carry the load in the running game by running with power and keeping the Packers in favorable down-and-distance situations? Lowering his pads and keeping his feet moving after contact have been a point of emphasis for Dillon. After a horrible season debut against the Bears – largely not his fault, mind you – he’ll need to have a big game against Atlanta.

Can Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrave create some chunk plays in the passing game? They had nice weeks against the Bears but it was Jones who was the X-factor by turning two short passes into gains of 51 and 35 yards. Taking away those big plays is a point of emphasis for the Falcons under former Packers assistant Jerry Gray.

Do I think the Packers are better than the Falcons? Yes, but I think the Falcons will have the better team on the field on Sunday.

Falcons 27, Packers 17

Season record: 0-1

Jacob Westendorf, Packer Central

The Packers are off and running for the 2023 season. A 38-20 win over the Chicago Bears should give them some confidence, if nothing else, as they head out on the road for the second consecutive week.

Christian Watson missed last week's game, and it didn't matter as much because Aaron Jones was a one-man wrecking crew. Against the Falcons, neither Watson nor Jones are expected to play.

If Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell follows Romeo Doubs, the Packers likely will have to count on rookies to make plays for them in the passing game.

While they did well to stop the Bears’ rushing offense last week, the Falcons are a different beast. They're built to run the ball.

That, combined with an aggressive Falcons defense, will lead to a tough day for Jordan Love's second start.

Final Score: Falcons 20, Packers 17

Season record: 1-0

Sports Illustrated’s MMQB staff

Picking before the Jones and Watson news, five of the seven selectors went with the Packers. Conor Orr, who wrote an epic story about hot piss this week, was one of the dissenters.

The SI consensus record: 1-0

NFL.com staff

Once again, with picks made before the injury updates, three of the five selectors picked the Packers.

The NFL.com consensus record: 0-1

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