Falcons Look to get Season on Track on Monday Night Football
The Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers will battle on Monday Night Football when they meet at Lambeau Field. Game time has been changed from 8:20 to 8:50 EST to accommodate the Patriots and Chiefs game that had to be rescheduled because of COVID-19.
If history has any say in this matchup this should be a high scoring barn burner tonight. With the way offenses of both teams have played this season it points to a fireworks display as well.
TIME: 8:50 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN; BETTING LINE: Jaguars -5 / TOTAL 56.5 -112
Packers Playing as well as Anyone in NFL This Season
In their last action, Green Bay was a 37-30 winner on the road against the New Orleans Saints. They covered the +3-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (67) was profitable news for OVER bettors.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Packers are likely fighting each other to get on the field after watching the Falcons defense. Green Bay leads the league in scoring (40.7) and ranks second in total offense (459.7).
Rodgers has been outstanding this season with 887 yards and nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. He has torched the Atlanta defense numerous times in his distinguished career. He has passed for 2,165 yards, 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions in seven regular-season contests.
Rodgers’ relationship with coach Matt LaFleur has improved and it shows on the field. It was clear last season that the partnership was not the smoothest on the team. It has been smooth sailing so far this season.
Falcons are Playing Banged up and With Quinn on Hot Seat
The Falcons were a 30-26 loser in their most recent outing at home against the Chicago Bears. They failed to cover the -2.5-point spread as favorites. The total score (56) made winners of OVER bettors. It was also their 2nd straight game blowing huge leads in the 2nd half to lose.
Dan Quinn is dancing chicken on a hot plate tonight, and probably the rest of the season. The Atlanta coach may need an upset victory to keep his job against the undefeated Packers tonight on Monday Night Football.
Quinn’s job status took an even more downward plunge following the Falcons debacle’s the last two weeks. The squad went from a pair of probable wins to painful losses. With back-to-back double-digit fourth-quarter leads blown the past two weeks, the Falcons (0-3) are almost touchdown underdogs on Monday Night Football.
Back-to-back collapses aren’t going to be ignored by fans of the club. Owner Arthur Blank certainly isn’t too thrilled over a winless start that follows back-to-back losing campaigns.
Atlanta lost its season opener to the Seattle Seahawks 38-25. They had opportunities, but just got outplayed. The Falcons appeared to be solidly rebounding with a 15-point fourth-quarter lead over Dallas. The Cowboys rallied for 16 unanswered points over the final 4:57 for a 40-39 victory on a ridiculous onside kick play.
Last week, the Falcons built a 16-point fourth quarter lead against Chicago before things again went haywire. The Bears erupted for 20 straight points over the final 6:20 to eek out a 30-26 win.
Sadly, neither of those two forgettable outcomes are the most embarrassing during Quinn’s six-season tenure.
He superbly guided Atlanta to the Super Bowl following the 2016 season, routing the Packers 44-21 in the NFC title game. He then had his team whipping the New England Patriots 28-3 late in the third quarter. Instead of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy the Falcons were part of a meltdown for the ages. They allowed 31 unanswered points and lost 34-28 in overtime.
Quarterback Matt Ryan has passed for 961 yards and seven touchdowns to help the team average 30 points per game. But the defense isn’t holding up its bargain. The unit ranks last in the NFL in scoring defense (36.0) and 31st in total defense (463.3).
The Falcons traditionally struggle on Monday Night Football.
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This, That, and a Dart Throw
Green Bay will be without linebacker Christian Kirksey with a groin issue. Allen Lazard, who has a team-best 254 receiving yards, sat out Thursday’s practice with a core-muscle injury. Wideout Davante Adams was a limited practice participant and is hopeful of returning after a one-game absence. He is battling a hamstring injury.
The Falcons placed cornerback Darqueze Dennard on injured reserve with his hamstring. The status of defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who has a hip problem, is of major concern. Safety Keanu Neal (hamstring) and receiver Calvin Ridley (ankle) were among the others who missed practice.
The Dart Throw: Falcons 27, Packers 38
Last Meetings
Atlanta Falcons 20
Green Bay Packers 34
2018-12-09 01:00 PM
Green Bay Packers 23
Atlanta Falcons 34
2017-09-17 08:30 PM
Green Bay Packers 21
Atlanta Falcons 44
2017-01-22 03:05 PM
Green Bay Packers 32
Atlanta Falcons 33
2016-10-30 04:25 PM
Matchup
| Atlanta Falcons | Category | Green Bay Packers |
| 0-3 | W/L | 3-0 |
| 0-2 | HOME | 1-0 |
| 0-1 | AWAY | 2-0 |
| 1-2 | ATS | 3-0 |
| 0-2 | ATS HOME | 1-0 |
| 1-0 | ATS AWAY | 2-0 |
| 3-0 | O/U | 3-0 |
| 2-0 | O/U HOME | 1-0 |
| 1-0 | O/U AWAY | 2-0 |
Monday Night Football Betting Odds & Trends
| Green Bay Packers |
|---|
| Green Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games |
| Green Bay is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games |
| The total has gone OVER in 5 of Green Bay’s last 5 games |
| Green Bay is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home |
| Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home |
| Green Bay is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta |
| The total has gone OVER in 5 of Green Bay’s last 5 games when playing Atlanta |
| Green Bay is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta |
| Green Bay is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Atlanta |
| The total has gone OVER in 6 of Green Bay’s last 8 games when playing at home against Atlanta |
| Atlanta Falcons |
|---|
| Atlanta is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games |
| The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 7 games |
| Atlanta is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road |
| Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road |
| The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 8 games on the road |
| Atlanta is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Green Bay |
| The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 5 games when playing Green Bay |
| Atlanta is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Green Bay |
| Atlanta is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Green Bay |
| The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 8 games when playing on the road against Green Bay |
Next up:
Atlanta home to Carolina Sunday, October 11
Green Bay at Tampa Bay Sunday, October 18
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