Here are the latest odds, predictions and picks for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game between the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons.
On Sunday Jan. 22, one elite quarterback is going to have a chance to add to their legacy. Saturday will feature the NFC Championship, which pits Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers against Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons. The winner will go to the Super Bowl, while the loser will have to go home.
Both teams rely heavily on their passing attack. The Falcons’ aerial attack is led by Ryan and star receiver Julio Jones, who finished second in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,409. Meanwhile, the Packers are led by Rodgers, who led the NFL in passing touchdowns (40) and Jordy Nelson. Nelson led the league in receiving touchdowns with 14.
Defense will most likely be optional in this game. In a battle between gunslingers, defenses typically have one job — get the ball back to their quarterback. Expect a high scoring affair, as the top two NFL MVP candidates are squaring off.
Odds
Spread: Falcons (-5.5)
Money Line: Green Bay (+174) Atlanta (-196)
Over under: 59.5
At home, the Falcons, the second seed in the NFC, are favored to win. They have been very good at home recently, coming off a huge win over the Seattle Seahawks. The over under is set at 59.5. Normally, that might seem a bit high. However, this seems low considering the two quarterbacks are Rodgers and Ryan.
The over/under has gone over in each of Green Bay’s past five games and in six of their last seven road games. Atlanta is just 5-10 against the spread at home over their past 15 games, which suggests this could be a very close game.
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Prediction
Don’t be surprised if the over under goes over by the time the third quarter is over. This is going to be a high scoring game. Both quarterbacks are incredible, but Ryan is at home and going against a less than impressive Packers secondary.
Atlanta 38 Green Bay 34