Green Bay Packers v. Falcons: 5 Big Questions Heading into Monday Night

Can the Packer defense limit the explosive plays?

The Packers should win on Monday, and I know that’s not exactly groundbreaking analysis. However, what could lead to this game being much closer than what it should be is if the Green Bay defense gives up quick scores. And that is certainly in play against the Falcons.

With Matt Ryan, Calvin Ridley, and possibly Julio Jones, this is an offense that likes to air it out, come away with chunk plays, and score quickly. Atlanta’s explosive pass rate – which are pass plays of at least 20 yards – of 10 percent is the ninth-best in the NFL. On top of that, they’re 13 plays of 20 plus yards is the fourth most, and their three plays of 40 or more yards are the sixth most.

Meanwhile, although the Packer defense has shown that they are able to come up with crucial turnovers, they’ve also shown that they are prone to giving up the explosive pass play as well. According to Sharp Football, the defense’s explosive pass rate of 10 percent is the eight highest this season.

The odds are that Atlanta is going to hit a few big plays or turn an intermediate catch into a long gain with yards after the catch, but what will key for Green Bay is limiting those plays. If they can, this should be a relatively easy win. Yet if they can’t, then this game could end up much closer than what it should.

Bonus: Will Davante Adams and Kenny Clark play?

We all know how important each of these players are to this Green Bay Packers’ team, so I’ll keep this one short and sweet by saying, I sure hope so.