The Green Bay Packers are hitting the road against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 for a rematch of the 2016 NFC Championship. The Falcons were able to best the Packers en route to a 28-3 meme that will never die, but Aaron Rodgers and Co. are looking for a different result on Sunday Night Football at 8:25 p.m. ET on NBC (live stream it on NBCSports.com).
Packers vs. Falcons 2017: Start time, TV schedule for ‘Sunday Night Football’
Green Bay will look to prove its defense is rebuilt against Julio Jones and the Falcons in Week 2.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
On offense, the Packers have been one of the more consistent teams in the NFL. On defense, not so much. All that seems to have changed, if Week 1 was any indication. Green Bay’s defense was littered with injured players at the end of 2016, and with some veteran offseason pickups and a healthy roster, things are looking like they’ll be a lot different in 2017.
“The key to the game was our defense. If they play like that (for the rest of the season), we’ll be tough to beat,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said after the season-opening win.
The Falcons’ new offensive coordinator, Steve Sarkisian, is still getting his feet wet in the NFL and working out how best to use an offense that features the likes of Julio Jones and Tevin Coleman. With talent in abundance, Sarkisian will need to work out when best to use each offensive weapon, and he certainly needs to improve on his Week 1 play calling.
Time, TV channel, and streaming info
- Time: 8:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: NBCSports.com
- Odds: Atlanta favored by 3
Packers vs. Falcons news:
- The Packers defense might finally be exciting again.
- Julio Jones is primed for a big game against the Packers:
“Last season, Jones was held to 35 receiving yards or fewer four times. Each of those times, he bounced back with a triple-digit receiving game, including a 300-yard outing against the Carolina Panthers.”
- Mike Daniels saw more defensive snaps on third downs, and it paid off for the Packers:
“The numbers spoke for themselves: seven total tackles, 1.5 sacks, another tackle for a loss, one forced fumble, and four quarterback hits. The forced fumble reversed field position and led to the Packers’ first score.”
- The Falcons might have their next great linebacker in De’Vondre Campbell:
“This offseason Campbell was moved to a linebacker spot that allowed him to play closer to the line and flex his pass rush skill. The early results have been shocking.”
Packers vs. Falcons predictions:
Julio Jones might be the X factor in this game, leading the Falcons to a 2-0 start to the season. The Packers’ secondary has shown time and again it struggles to contain Jones, and if Sarkisian finds more targets for the receiver, Jones could continue to rack up career-high yardage. Seven of our eight human experts and OddsShark’s computer all agree.
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