Green Bay (4-0) at Atlanta (2-2)

NFL

Green Bay (4-0) at Atlanta (2-2)

Channel 4, Monday October 10th, 1am

How do you solve a problem like Rodgers? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? A little musical theatre for early on a Monday morning.

The Falcons will have to climb every mountain (OK, that’s enough) to overcome the Pack tonight. Ryan doesn’t look the same this year; he looks skittish and Clay Matthews is likely to have a fine time against LT Sam Baker, with B. J. Raji bringing it too.  The loss of C Ted McClure is critical - even less protection on the O line.

Atlanta’s instinct is to get the run going, but Green Bay have been strong against the run this season, and besides, Ryan will have to throw here, like every QB that takes on the Packers, just to keep up. He has the weapons downfield (and the absence of GB safety Nick Collins is a huge bonus) although Roddy White is banged up, and the Packers have given up plays deep, so it's not impossible. I’m a big admirer of Julio Jones, and he’ll have to have a big game tonight; he’ll definitely get looks though. Tony Gonzalez will likewise have a chance to continue his excellent form.

Rodgers (1325 yards, 12 passing TDs, and two rushing TDs) and the Pack are almost unstoppable. Atlanta have to bring pressure, but there’s nothing to suggest they can. They are weak in coverage and their secondary can be beaten. Jennings will score, Finley probably will, and then perm any from Nelson, Driver and Jones. Expect Starks to catch out of the backfield and Grant to change it up on the ground.

I’ve over-egged the pudding a bit here, but I genuinely can’t see the Falcons hanging with the Packers in this game.

I’ll give the points.

Pick: Packers -5.5 @ 1.91; -1o5; 10/11

Pick: First TD Greg Jennings @ 8.0; 700; 7/1

Pick: AnytimeTD Jermichael Finley @ 2.2; 120; 6/5