Atlanta Falcons Show Green Bay Packers Who's Boss of the NFC in Week 12

In perhaps the premier NFC matchup of the week, the 7-3 Green Bay Packers stomped into the Georgia Dome to take on the NFC-leading 8-2 Atlanta Falcons.  Both teams carried a four-game winning streak into the contest, which may prove to be a preview of the playoffs. The Packers came into the game tied atop the NFC North with the Chicago Bears.

In Week 11, the Packers and Falcons scored convincing victories over the Minnesota Vikings (31-3) and St. Louis Rams (34-17), respectively.

Today, the Falcons solidified their reputation as best team in the NFC, overcoming Aaron Rodgers and the crushing Packers defense in a big win.

Game Recap

The intensity of the game was evident from the outset as both teams racked up a total of seven penalties in the first half, including three "unnecessary roughness" penalties, a 15-yard face mask and an illegal block above the waist.

Scoring-wise, an uneventful first quarter was highlighted solely by dueling field goals as the Falcons' Matt Bryant struck first from 38, followed by the Packers' Mason Crosby from 22.

The second quarter began with a quick three-and-out by the Atlanta offense, followed by two long series, one each by Green Bay and Atlanta.  Following those opening series, the Packers drove 76 yards over nearly six minutes, but Aaron Rodgers fumbled the ball on the Atlanta one. 

The Falcons recovered the ball in the end zone and started from their own 20. With 12 seconds to go in the half, Matt Ryan connected with veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez for a four-yard score.  The teams went into the locker room with the Falcons up by seven, 10-3.

The Packers and Falcons swapped punts to open the third quarter.  In the Packers' next series, Rodgers redeemed himself with a 34-yard pass to Greg Jennings, a 28-yard connection with Jordy Nelson, and finally a one-yard touchdown run to tie the game.  The remainder of the quarter saw Atlanta hold the ball seven minutes, carrying it to the Green Bay one as the clock ran out.

Michael Turner crossed the plane two plays into the final quarter, giving Atlanta the lead once again, 17-10.  After the kickoff, the Packers managed three first downs, but turned the ball over on the Falcons 41 when a 4th-and-1 pass from Rodgers to Donald Driver went incomplete. 

The Packers would get the ball back, though, with six minutes left in the game.  Starting from their own 10, Green Bay executed 16 plays and scored the tying touchdown with a minute to go, a 10-yard pass to Jordy Nelson.

The Falcons started the final drive of the game from their own 49, thanks to a Green Bay face mask penalty on the kickoff.  With 49 seconds to go, Matt Ryan completed four passes in a row out of the hurry-up offense.  On fourth down, with 13 ticks on the clock, Matt Bryant came in to kick the game-winning field goal from 47 yards away.

Final: Green Bay 17, Atlanta 20

Up Ahead

Atlanta, at 9-2, will almost certainly make the playoffs unless something preposterous happens.  Though they go on the road now for three straight games, they finish with the final two at home, where they are near unbeatable.  Three of their final five games are against poor opponents, including two against worst in the league Carolina. That Saints game is going to be a good one.

@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

@ Carolina Panthers

@ Seattle Seahawks

vs. New Orleans Saints

vs. Carolina Panthers

Suddenly, the coach-killing Packers are in a wee bit of trouble at 7-4.  With the Giants, Bucs, and Saints tied with the Pack or better, Green Bay's last five games are critical, particularly the final two against New York and the NFC North leading Chicago Bears. Before that, though, they'll have to get through the Patriots.

vs. San Francisco 49ers

@ Detroit Lions

@ New England Patriots

vs. NY Giants

vs. Chicago Bears

Fantasy Spin

Matt Ryan is still a solid fantasy QB despite a mediocre showing this week.  Michael Turner is always a must start.  Tony Gonzalez shined this week, but has been subpar much of the season in terms of fantasy.

Matt Ryan: 24 of 28 for 198 yds, 1 TD

Michael Turner: 23 rushes for 110 yds, 1 rec for 4 yds, 1 TD

Jason Snelling: 4 rushes for 7 yds, 4 rec for 32 yds

Tony Gonzalez: 6 rec for 51 yds, 1 TD

Roddy White: 5 rec for 49 yds

Michael Jenkins: 3 rec for 24 yds

Matt Bryant: Good from 38 and 47, with 2 XPs

Falcons Defense: 1 Sack, 1 Fumble Recovery

Aaron Rodgers continues to be one of the best fantasy QBs in the league, perhaps even in the top three.  The Packers running game has been inconsistent at best, but shows its teeth when the Packers are way ahead. Not the case today. Greg Jennings has been a top-five receiver over the past six weeks.  Today was an off week for the must-start Packers defense, best in the league.

Aaron Rodgers: 26 of 35 for 344 yds, 1 TD, 51 yds rushing, 1 TD

Brandon Jackson: 10 rushes for 26 yds

Greg Jennings: 5 rec for 119 yds

Jordy Nelson: 5 rec for 61 yds, 1 TD

James Jones: 5 rec for 44 yds

Mason Crosby: Good from 22, with 2 XPs

Packers Defense: 2 sacks

Also see: Minnesota Vikings Stay Alive, Vandalize Redskins' Hopes in Week 12.
For more on the Atlanta Falcons, check out Bleacher Report's Falcons Site.
For more on the Green Bay Packers, check out Bleacher Report's Packers Site.
For more on Fantasy Football, check out Bleacher Report's Fantasy Football Site.