Thursday Night Football sends the Atlanta Falcons to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers with Michael Penix Jr. healthy and slated to start, according to the preview. Atlanta opened the season 0-2 after using Cooper Rush under center, the analysis noted.
Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski is expected to structure much of the playbook around running back Bijan Robinson, who is averaging 18.5 carries per game. The plan should include outside zone runs and play-action passes against a Packers defense that has played zone on 70.5% of opponent dropbacks and has allowed just 2.9 yards per carry, the second-fewest in the league through two weeks, the report said.
On offense for Green Bay, Jordan Love has completed 52.1% of his passes to start the season but has produced eight explosive throws of 20 yards or more, ranking fifth in the league. Christian Watson has three touchdowns through two weeks, while Matthew Golden has emerged as a frequent target, the preview added. The Packers are using a committee at running back and lack a clear difference-making runner, per the analysis.
The betting outlook in the piece noted the spread had moved to Green Bay -4.5. One analyst favored the Packers to cover the spread and backed the moneyline while also targeting the over at 42.5. By contrast, Ben Solak projected a lower-scoring game and listed the total under 42.5 (-108).
The preview included several player prop notes, with odds listed as provided by DraftKings. Notable entries: Drake London receiving yards OVER 66.5 (-112), Tucker Kraft anytime TD (+185), Kyle Pitts Sr. receiving yards OVER 34.5 (-113) and Matthew Golden receiving yards OVER 52.5 (-114). Eric Moody and other analysts in the piece discussed expected target volume for Pitts and Golden.
