Packers Vs Falcons: Why The Green Bay Packers Are Super Bowl Bound

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers by making statement to the NFL with a route of the NFC's top seed in the Atlanta Falcons.

What seemed to be a shootout in the making, Green Bay took the lead at the end of the first half and never lost sight of it.

Aaron Rodgers took the next step of joining the elite league of quarterbacks and is one win away from his first Super Bowl appearance.

Here are my immediate reactions to the Packers win.

I am an NFL Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com. Follow me on twitter: twitter.com/MattMiselis

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons Lay Another Egg In The Playoffs

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on from the sideline against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

When the Falcons finished with the top seed in the NFC, the hype began to circle around this team. Matt Ryan is a quarterback on the rise, and talent on both sides of the ball made them a threat to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.

However, this team is who I thought they were; a team that exceeded expectations but isn't ready for the big show just yet.

Matt Ryan has yet to play its best football in the playoffs, with costly turnovers leading the way.

Mike Smith's defense was greatly exposed today as well, with Rodgers carving up them up for 366 yards.

The home field advantage was not much of a factor, with half of the fans leaving the stadium in the early part of the second half.

Matt Ryan Not Ready To Be an Elite Quarterback Yet

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after Michael Turner #33 scored a 12-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 1

For now, the argument of Matt Ryan being an elite quarterback can be put to rest.

Ryan had a great chance to prove himself when it matters most, in the post season, against one of the best quarterbacks in football in Aaron Rodgers.

However after getting off to a hot start, Matt Ryan will go home with 0 playoff wins in two appearances.

Until he shows success in the playoffs, Ryan will only be in the second tier group of quarterbacks in football.

Green Bay Packers Defense Continues To Flourish

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a sack against Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia,

The Green Bay Packers defense has taken leaps and bounds in the past two seasons, and has proved it tonight.

Ranked among the top teams in the league in total defense, the Packers are a young, athletic unit that creats havoc for the quarterback and its offensive targets.

After the Falcons hot start, the Packers defense stayed calm and forced multiple turnovers against Matt Ryan and company.

Clay Matthews led the pressure against Matt Ryan, who is only one of the many quarterback victims this season.

Aaron Rodgers Comes Closer To Putting Himself In The Elite QB Category

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after he threw a 7-yard touchdown to John Kuhn #30 in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2

The performance by Aaron Rodgers today brings him one step closer to his first Super Bowl appearance, and his recognition among the top quarterbacks in football.

Rodgers proved today to be the perfect quarterback. He is a very athletic quarterback with a very strong arm and great pocket presence.

He faced a Falcons defense that feasts off turnovers, but avoided throwing interceptions and followed up with tossing three touchdowns.

My elite group of quarterbacks is very small, with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees highlighting that group.

However, a Super Bowl ring by Rodgers could be the final step in bringing himself into the elite group of quarterbacks.

Green Bay Packers Will Ride This Win To The Super Bowl

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Before the game began, I believed the winner of Packers-Falcons would represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

After tonight's convincing win, I am more convinced the Packers will represent the NFC in the big game.

Green Bay is the most talented and balanced team remaining in the NFC. With a Pro-Bowl quarterback, a solid running game and plenty of offensive targets, it will be difficult for many teams to stop this potent machine.

The defense is also very good as well. The combination of young pass rushers and a veteran secondary favors Green Bay against the winner of the Seahawks-Bears game tomorrow.