2016-17 NFL Conference Championship Expert Picks and Predictions: Packers vs. Falcons & Steelers vs. Patriots

…And then there were four. Can we all agree that this year’s collection of the final four QBs are one of the best in a really long time? Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, and Matt Ryan are easily four of the best signal-callers in the league, especially this season.

If you are a football fan and you’re not pumped for Sunday’s pair of matchups, something’s wrong with you.

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2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions

What to know about the matchups:

Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons

About the Green Bay Packers:

Currently on an eight-game winning streak (7-1 ATS).

5-4 on the road this season (4-5 ATS).

31st in pass defense.

Aaron Rodgers finished the regular season with a league-leading 40 passing TDs, and has a 26-1 TD-INT ratio in his last nine games (303.8 YPG).

Lost to the Falcons in Week 8, 33-32. Rodgers threw for 246 yards and four TDs.

Jordy Nelson (rib) and Davante Adams (ankle) are questionable for the game. The two collectively had 26 TD grabs in the regular season.

About the Atlanta Falcons:

Currently on a five-game winning streak (4-1 ATS).

6-3 at home this season (4-5 ATS).

Second in total yards (415.8 per game – 295.3 passing, 120.5 rushing)

28th in pass defense.

Matt Ryan finished the regular season with 38 passing TDs (second behind Rodgers), and has an 11-0 TD-INT ratio in his last five games (282.7 YPG).

Won against the Packers in Week 8, 33-32. Ryan threw for 288 yards and three TDs.

Julio Jones led the league in receiving yards per game (100.6).

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots

About the Pittsburgh Steelers:

Currently on a nine-game winning streak (7-1-1 ATS).

6-3 SU and ATS on the road this season.

Seventh in total yards (372.6 per game – 262.6 passing, 110 rushing)

LeVeon Bell has 118 or more yards in seven of his last eight games (146.5 YPG).

Lost to the Patriots in Week 7. Landry Jones was in place at QB for the then-injured Ben Roethlisberger, throwing for 281 yards, along with one TD and INT.

Roethlisberger had 29 TD s and 13 INTs in the regular season (272.8 YPG).

About the New England Patriots

Currently on an eight-game winning streak (7-1 ATS).

7-2 SU and ATS at home this season.

Dion Lewis scored three TDs against the Texans last Saturday (one receiving, rushing, and kick return).

Dating back to last season’s signing, the Patriots are 15-0 when Lewis plays.

Fourth in total yards (386.2 per game – 269.2 passing, 117 rushing).

Tom Brady had a 28-2 TD-INT ratio in the regular season (296.2 YPG).

LeGarette Blount had a league-leading 18 rushing TDs in the regular season.

The Experts’ Picks

NOLA.com (Jeff Duncan)

GAME | PREDICTION (ATS)
Green Bay Packers (+4) at Atlanta Falcons | Packers 34, Falcons 31
Pittsburgh Steelers (+6) at New England Patriots | Steelers 30, Patriots 26

MassLive.com (Nick O’Malley)

GAME | PREDICTION (SU)
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons | Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots | Patriots

CBS Sports (Joe Giglio)

GAME | PREDICTION (ATS)
Green Bay Packers (+5) at Atlanta Falcons | Falcons 38, Packers 31
Pittsburgh Steelers (+5.5) at New England Patriots | Steelers 24, Patriots 21

TopBet

GAME | PREDICTION (ATS)
Green Bay Packers (+4.5) at Atlanta Falcons | Falcons 36, Packers 30 – FULL PREVIEW
Pittsburgh Steelers (+6) at New England Patriots | Patriots 31, Steelers 24 – FULL PREVIEW

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