After a wild and crazy opening week, the NFL returns with a full slate of 16 games for Week 2. There are some very interesting matchups on the schedule, none more interesting than Sunday night’s game (8:30 PM ET, NBC) between the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons. The Packers looked good in Week 1, but at press time, they’re holding steady as 3-point road dogs at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. There’s also a fat total of 54 points on the NFL odds board.

Green Bay took it to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1, winning 17-9 as 3-point home favorites, but a lot of their success had to do with Seattle’s woebegone offensive line. Can the Packers do the same thing in Atlanta? The Falcons are coming off a 23-17 win over the Chicago Bears (+7 at home) that was a bit too close for comfort; quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked twice and the run game managed just 64 yards against the lowly Bears. However, Atlanta’s offensive line looks pretty good on paper, and Sunday will be their first game at their new stadium. If the Packers can win this game, they’ll have to be considered the top NFC candidates for Super Bowl LII.

 

L.A. Story

There’s another NFL team doing some housewarming this Sunday: The Los Angeles Chargers. Their first game at the StubHub Center in Carson kicks off at 4:05 PM ET on CBS, and it’s against the Miami Dolphins, who didn’t even play in Week 1 because of Hurricane Irma. Los Angeles was in action Monday night, losing 24-21 to the Denver Broncos as 3-point road dogs. It’s not an ideal situation for the Chargers in their temporary new home (capacity: 30,000). They’re 4-point favorites at press time after opening at –5.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t get to play in Week 1, either, but they’ll be at soggy Raymond James Stadium this Sunday (1 PM ET, FOX) to take on the Bears. Flying in and out of Tampa International Airport has been difficult, but all the Bucs players managed to show up for Tuesday’s practice. Many of their homes are still without power. Despite these challenges, Tampa Bay has moved from –6 to –7 for Sunday’s matchup. The Bears suffered quite a few injuries against Atlanta, including wide receiver Kevin White, who’s out for the year with a broken scapula. When it rains, it pours.

 

*Odds as of September 14, 2017