Falcons at Packers prediction
Packers -5.5
We haven't seen Michael Penix Jr. since last November's ACL tear limited his training camp work and kept him out of the preseason.
What we've seen from Atlanta without him has been a disaster. The Falcons haven't even reached the red zone through two games. Green Bay has hardly looked dominant after collapsing against Minnesota and needing overtime to survive the Jets, but the Packers still offer far more continuity. Maybe Penix immediately awakens Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. Maybe not. Until we see it, he's simply too big of an unknown — and making his return on a short week at Lambeau doesn't help.
-Adam Kaufman
Falcons vs Packers spread, moneyline, over/under
- Spread: Packers -5.5
- Moneyline: Packers -250; Falcons +200
- Over/Under: 46.5
Why the Falcons will cover the spread
The Falcons have looked inept through two weeks, but Thursday night presents a spot where taking the points makes plenty of sense.
Green Bay is coming off overtime against the Jets and two straight road games as they prepare for a short week. The Packers have hardly been dominant, losing badly to Minnesota in Week 1 before squeaking past New York and managing only 199 total yards. Atlanta's offense desperately needs a spark, and Michael Penix Jr. could provide exactly that. The Falcons also have legitimate playmakers in Bijan Robinson and Drake London who can make enough explosive plays to keep this competitive. The short week creates an especially difficult environment for laying a large number. The Falcons have plenty to prove. Take the points.
-Tom Viera
Why the Packers will cover the spread
After two abysmal showings, can changing quarterbacks on a short week before a road game really do that much for Atlanta? Maybe. But when that road game is the Packers' home opener in primetime, I'm not putting too much stock in the Falcons figuring things out. A healthy Michael Penix Jr. sure makes the NFC South squad more formidable; there's no doubt about that. But consider Thursday night's contest one where Atlanta is starting back at zero. You hope it just lays out a foundation to build on and maybe look competitive along the way. Jordan Love needs to be better, of course, but having a raucous Lambeau Field — where the QB is 18-9 for his career — can jumpstart that process quickly.
-Blake Schuster
Where to watch Falcons at Packers
- Matchup: Packers vs. Falcons
- Date: Sept. 24
- Time: 8:15 p.m.
- Venue: Lambeau Field
- Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
- TV: Amazon Prime Video
Super Bowl 61 updated odds
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Packers vs Falcons predictions: QB questions dominate Thursday Night Football
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