Sunday afternoon’s NFC title game between the Packers and Falcons promises to be a good one in Atlanta.
With it being the final official game in the Georgia Dome, the Falcons will look to have the stadium’s final game be remembered as a triumphant victory.
Aaron Rodgers of the Packers will have something to say about though for Green Bay. The quarterback has been red-hot as of late, winning his last eight games, carrying the Packers to the playoffs.
It really is remarkable how Green Bay got to this point. Their defense, through injuries and lack of execution, was a laughing stock through ten games this season. In fact, they were on pace to be one of the worst defenses statistically in NFL history!
Offensively, Rodgers posted big numbers during the regular season, but in large part because he had too. Running back Eddie Lacy was lost for the season early on, and with backup James Starks out for a large chunk of time, the Packers turned to wide receiver Ty Mongtomery to the fill the void at running back. Wait? A receiver playing running back? You heard that right. Montgomery has been an excellent spark plug for Green Bay, as he now scores touchdowns from the backfield or when they line him up out wide.
The Packers adjusted with their limitations and have since won eight in a row to be one win shy of the Super Bowl.
For Matt Ryan of the Falcons, the talk has always been, “He can’t win the big game,” or “Ryan fades under pressure.” An MVP favorite, Ryan has played consistently stellar football all season long.
In part he has had to, because like Rodgers, the Falcons have displayed their struggles defensively. Being young, especially in the secondary, Atlanta knew they were bound to have struggles early on, which they did.
However, the Falcons’ defense has played relatively well as of late, making life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. The league’s sack leader, Vic Beasley, has been the chief cause of offensive coordinator’s headaches, putting the heat on all quarterbacks in his path.
With all the weapons the Falcons have offensively, from wide receiver Julio Jones to running back Devonta Freeman, the Falcons were able to compensate for their defensive woes early on. If the opposing defense tried to stop the run, then Ryan would pick them apart with the pass. If they decided to drop everyone deep, then the league’s best running back duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman would take advantage with wide open running lanes.
Widely viewed as having the potential to be a very high-scoring game, there promises to be plenty of entertainment. In games like this, it often comes down to a play or two that decides the outcome.
The health of the Green Bay receivers is a concern, but they do have the hottest quarterback in football on their side. That being said, Rodgers has been able to carry the Packers all season long, but the real question is, can he do it again?
Matt Ryan has something to prove this postseason. He is known to not step up when it matters most, but things are bound to change in his favor. Being at home with the crowd noise and his full complement of weapons mostly healthy to go along with a great offensive line, provides Ryan a great opportunity to silence his critics and change the narrative.
My prediction: Falcons 30 Packers 27.
The winner gets a trip to Houston, Texas, on Sunday, February 5, for Super Bowl LI, with a chance to write their name in the record books. They will face the winner of the AFC Championship Game, between Pittsburgh and New England.
The game is slated to kick off Sunday afternoon at 3:05 p.m. on Fox.
Anthony Bracken is the Sports Editor of The Picket. He can be reached at abrack02@rams.shepherd.edu
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