SNF – Packers vs Falcons Week 5 Gambling Preview
Four games in to the 2011-12 NFL season, the message is clear: The NFC road to the Super Bowl will go through Wisconsin.
Venue/Stadium: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Time/Date: Sunday October 9, 2011 – 8:20 PM ET
NFL Odds from TheGreek
Moneyline: Packers -255
Spread (ATS): Packers -5.5
Over/Under: 53
Any question about whether the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers had the talent and depth to make another run has been answered in emphatic fashion, and next up is another team looking to challenge for the NFC crown. The Packers travel to face the Atlanta Falcons in a clash of conference favorites under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football, in what should be a statement game for both teams in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff rematch.
While Green Bay is one of two undefeated teams heading in to week five, the Falcons have struggled to take flight under the weight of lofty expectations. After finishing tied with the second-best in the NFL a year ago with 13 wins, Atlanta was blown away by the Packers in their lone postseason appearance, and it left a lasting impression with the franchise. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Falcons retooled in the offseason with the biggest addition at wide receiver in the form of first-round pick Julio Jones, but that has led to them wavering somewhat from the formula that made them so successful a year ago.
While they may want to air it out more and let quarterback Matt Ryan loose, it is important to make sure that running back Michael Turner gets more touches so that the offense can be more efficient, especially at home.
The Packers on the other hand have had no issues on offense, and despite ranking near the bottom of the league in pass defense, they have rolled to a perfect start through the quarter mark of the season.
Green Bay will continue to rely heavily on Aaron Rodgers and arguably the most potent passing game in football, and if they can manage to slow down the Atlanta offense the way that the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers did, then they should be able to extend their undefeated streak.
The Falcons have won both their home games this year, but that streak should come to an end this week.
NFL Betting Pick: Packers
