NFL Week 12: Atlanta Falcons Can Prove They Are NFC's Best vs. Green Bay

The Atlanta Falcons can prove they are the best team in the NFC by beating the Green Bay Packers this week at home.

Atlanta (8-2) is led by quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Roddy White, who is making a case to be regarded as the NFL's best receiver.

Green Bay (7-3) is led by elite quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is the engine behind one of the league's best passing offenses.

Receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver have helped Rodgers keep the Packers winning despite having leading rusher Ryan Grant on injured reserve.

Both teams are currently on a four-game winning streak, and this game will surely help the winner secure an edge in the race for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Both teams could use the home field advantage the No. 1 seed has to offer.

The Falcons would enjoy playing the playoffs in their climate-friendly Georgia Dome, and the Packers enjoy the disadvantages cold weather gives opposing teams in January.

The team that needs this game more is certainly the Falcons. The reason is simple: Their remaining schedule is tougher. 

The Falcons still have a long way to go before they win the NFC South division. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints are playing very well this season and are getting better each week.

The key for the Packers is to continue the dominating defensive play they have displayed the last few weeks. Green Bay has given up a mere 10 points in its last three games, including shutting down the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium a few weeks ago.

The Packers defense is led by Clay Matthews, who is playing at an All-Pro level and has recorded 12 sacks this season.

Matthews and co. will try to stop the Atlanta offense, which is one of the best Green Bay will face all season. A win vs. the Falcons Sunday could give the Packers defense great confidence moving forward.

The most important part of the game for the Falcons is getting a good performance from running back Michael Turner. 

Turner's play has been inconsistent this season, but if he's effective on the ground Sunday, Matt Ryan will be able to shred the Packers defense with wide receiver Roddy White and all-time great tight end Tony Gonzalez.

The battle between these two NFC heavyweights will be the best game of the weekend, and you can watch it on Fox at 1:00 p.m.

This game will be a major factor in shaping the playoff picture in the NFC, and the winner will have the right to be named the best team in the NFC.