Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons: NFL Game of the Week Preview

NFC Heavyweights Green Bay and Atlanta highlight Week12’s Sunday slate.  Each team enters Sunday’s contest in Atlanta riding a four game winning streak and generally considered among the NFL’s elite 5 teams.

With each team involved in their own tight division race as the season enters it’s final stretch this promises to be a great game.  So pull up a chair, grab some leftovers, and watch a battle between two of the NFL’s finest young QB’s.

WHEN ATL HAS THE BALL

Something has to give as Atlanta enters the game with the NFC’s 2^nd ranked scoring offense while Green Bay leads the entire NFL in allowing the fewest Points per Game. 

Atlanta’s up-tempo style could produce personnel issues for the Packers.  However GB’s defense features some of the NFL’s premier playmakers including 2009 Defensive Player of the Year Charles Woodson as well as 2010 DPOY contender Clay Mathews.  Two other Packer defenders to watch include CB Tramon Williams and NT BJ Raji, Both Pro Bowl Candidates in their own right.

Green Bay’s single biggest challenge on the defensive side of the ball will be to try to contain the Matt Ryan to Roddy White combination that’s been terrorizing defenses all season.  White enters the game leading all NFL receivers in catches while currently 2^nd in receiving yards.

Protecting Ryan against the Packers fierce pass rush (29sacks 4^th in the NFL) will be key for the Falcons.  Atlanta comes into the game with the NFL’s 7^th leading rushing attack featuring RB Michael Turner.  Expect the Falcons to try to establish balance early on the backs of Turner and the offensive line, and to try to stay out of obvious passing situations.   

WHEN GB HAS THE BALL

Green Bay’s running game has been pedestrian at best.  Meanwhile Atlanta’s defense has been pretty stingy allowing yards on the ground (6^th in the NFL in rushing YPG) That combination leads to one likely conclusion. 

Ultimately the Packers hopes will lie on the shoulders of QB Aaron Rodgers (big surprise) and a receiving corps led by WR Greg Jennings.  Everyone knows Rodgers’ story but Jennings rarely seems to get as much love as many other lead receivers around the league.  Though not as high profile, he’s one of the NFL’s premier big play receivers.  His 15.3 yards per catch are 4^th among receivers with 700 or more yards, and his 9 touchdowns are tied for 3^rd in the NFL. 

A big concern in Atlanta has to be the health of DE John Abraham who was scratched before last weeks St. Louis game.  With eight sacks Abraham is the only Falcon with more than two, and is responsible for nearly half the team’s total of 18.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Return games for both teams go from middle of the pack to below average.  While comparing guys who kick footballs for a living but do so in such disparate places as Wisconsin and the Georgia Dome is a tricky business at best. 

MISC

Atlanta is 18-3 at home since 2008 (including 18-1 when Ryan plays) The last time these two teams met was in 2008 at Lambeau.   The Falcons won 27-24.  Each team is on a four game winning streak.

PREDICTION

Can Atlanta use their balanced offense to slow down the Packer big play defense and keep Aaron Rodgers off the field?  Possibly, after all the Falcons come into the league 2^nd in the NFL in time of possession.  Yet the Abraham injury bothers me and I think Rodgers and company may have their way with the Atlanta secondary.  One big play by the Packer D makes the difference

Pick: Green Bay 31 Atlanta 23