Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons: 5 sizzling bold predictions
By Ryan Heckman
1. Falcons receivers will be held to zero touchdown receptions
In his first two games, Matt Ryan has thrown six touchdown passes. Of those six, five of them have gone to wide receivers. Specifically, four have gone to wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who is amidst an early breakout season.
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Even with Julio Jones on the field, Ryan has targeted Ridley more than any other pass catcher. In fact, Jones isn’t even second on the team in targets. That place belongs to wideout Russell Gage, who has just one less target than Ridley and has accounted for the fifth touchdown thrown to receivers.
Jones doesn’t have a single touchdown thus far, and he might not get the chance if he fails to suit up on Sunday. It could be Gage and Ridley squaring off as the top two receivers against the Bears.
Over the first two weeks, the Bears have allowed zero touchdown receptions to wide receivers and just one touchdown pass overall. That touchdown went to Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson, who finished with five receptions for 56 yards.
On Sunday, the Bears will not allow any Falcons receiver to get into the end zone. Rather, they may end up allowing a score to tight end Hayden Hurst or even a rushing score from Todd Gurley. But, Kyle Fuller and Jaylon Johnson have been arguably the league’s best cornerback tandem so far and they will continue their success against these Falcons wideouts.