The Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers (+25,000 to win the NFC North) entered the 2018 NFL season deemed as among the favorites to win the NFC, but winning the conference title now looks like a mere pipe dream for the struggling squads. This Sunday, the Falcons and the Packers will try to end their respective losing skids in a matchup in Green Bay.
The Falcons’ offense used to strike fear down their opponents’ spines, but that hasn’t been the case of late, as they have failed to score more than 19 points in any of their last four games, which all ended in losses. Last Sunday, they lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 26-16, with quarterback Matt Ryan passing for just 131 passing yards with a touchdown and zero interceptions on 16-of-26 completions. The Falcons’ backfield coughed up blood, with only 34 rushing yards. Still, this is a Falcons team with a dangerous quarterback, who can light it up on any given Sunday and a top-three wide receiver in Julio Jones, who needs a bounce-back performance after coming up with a mere total of 18 receiving yards on two receptions and eight targets against the Ravens.
The Falcons, who are averaging 24.7 points per game this season, are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games against the Packers.
Betting on the Green Bay Packers (4-7-1)
The Mike McCarthy era in Green Bay has officially came to an end, as the Packers fired the head coach shortly after the team’s embarrassing 20-17 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday. Aaron Rodgers went just 31 of 50 for 233 passing yards with a touchdown, while No. 1 running back Aaron Jones got just 36 rushing yards to go with a touchdown on 11 carries. Maybe firing McCarthy, whose play-calling had been greatly question in Green Bay, will ultimately lead to a smoother flow of offense for the Packers similar to what happened with the Cleveland Browns after parting ways with Hue Jackson and Todd Haley. The Packers, who are eighth in the league in total offense with 380.6 total yards per game, should have more success this time around against the Falcons problematic stop unit that is allowing 27.8 points per game — 28th in the NFL. Conversely, the Packers’ defense has been better than their offense. They are surrendering 23.9 points per contest and are third in the league with 38.0 sacks.
The Packers are 3-2 ATS in their last five home games.
