In Monday Night Football, Jared Hackmyer picks the high-scoring Packers against the no-D Falcons, plus the rescheduled Chiefs vs Patriots
PACKERS (-6.5) Falcons (55.5)
Jared’s Pick: Packers
Breakout Player: QB Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers has been unreal in these first three weeks. Going into week 4, Rodgers has not thrown a single interception. Without star WR Davante Adams against New Orleans, Rodgers still managed to throw for 283 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Aside from Rodgers, RB Aaron Jones has been unstoppable. Jones already has recorded 303 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 95 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown. Atlanta’s defense has been decent stopping the run, averaging about 113 yards allowed per game. Maybe this could be a game we see Jones struggle a bit. With their amazing offense, Green Bay’s defense has been acceptable due to how much offense is scoring.
Atlanta has been a big disappointment, blowing two big leads against Dallas and Chicago. QB Matt Ryan, surprisingly, has been able to put up some good numbers with this 0-3 record. With WR Julio Jones out last week, WR Calvin Ridley had another chance to shine and did not disappoint. With Jones questionable this week, I’d look for another big game from Ridley. While Atlanta's defense against the run has been good, the Falcons have been letting up an absurd amount of points and yards. If they want to stop this elite Green Bay offense, they are going to have to step up their game as Green Bay is clearly the better team right now.
(re-posted from Sunday)
CHIEFS (-5) Patriots (53)
Jared’s Pick: Chiefs
Breakout Player: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Last week, the Chiefs showed the league that once again, they are the real deal, dominating the 2-0 Ravens on Monday night. This Chiefs offense has been unstoppable these last three years with QB Pat Mahomes, who this year has thrown for 8 touchdowns, zero interceptions, and almost 1,000 yards. Kansas City can finally utilize the running game with rookie RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, which is a huge boost for this offense. Aside from the Chiefs’ run stoppage, their defense has looked amazing so far. The Chiefs held the Ravens, the fourth highest scoring offense in the league, to only 20 points. I can see this defense giving New England’s offense a tough time this Sunday.
Cam Newton has given this New England offense a great look so far in 2020 but is now out after testing positive for Covid-19. Going into week 4, 2-1, the Patriots’ offense leads the league in rushing yards per game and they'll really have to rely in the run game with Newton out. And while the offense has been able to rack up points, in week 2 their defense let up 35 points to Seattle. Kansas City’s offense is arguably better than Seattle’s, and I can see this defense struggling in week 4. Both teams have shown a ton of bright spots so far this season, but the Chiefs look unbeatable right now.
Jared Hackmyer is founder of GOATNYG on Instagram.