Falcons open as favorites vs. Pack
The Falcons will host the Packers in the 2017 NFC Championship Game, where Atlanta has opened as a small favorite.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Falcons have opened as a 4-point home favorite versus the Packers while the over/under is currently a whopping 60.5 points. The total hit the board at 59.5 but was bet up immediately to 60.5.
Green Bay advanced to the title game with a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional round on Sunday. Aaron Rodgers hit Jared Cook for a 36-yard pass on a third-and-20 at the Green Bay 32 in the closing seconds to set Mason Crosby up for a 51-yard game-winning field. Just a few minutes prior, Crosby hit a 56-yard field goal to put the Packers up 31-28, but Dan Bailey and the Cowboys tied the game with 58 seconds remaining to nearly force overtime.
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The Falcons, meanwhile, thumped the Seahawks 36-20 on Saturday afternoon to advance to the NFC title game for the first time since 2012. MVP-candidate Matt Ryan was brilliant, completing 26-of-37 passes for 338 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Eight different receivers caught passes for the Falcons, who had the league’s highest scoring offense this season.
These teams met in Week 8 this season, with the Falcons prevailing, 33-32. Ryan found Mohamed Sanu for an 11-yard touchdown with just 31 seconds remaining to give Atlanta a one-point lead. The Falcons defense then forced a four-and-out to seal the win and hand the Packers their third loss in seven games. Green Bay went on to lose three straight games following that loss but have ripped off eight consecutive victories, which includes the team’s two playoff wins.