Green Bay Packers: Three Plays Mike McCarthy Should Have Challenged vs. Falcons

The Green Bay Packers lost to the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 20-17 on Sunday.

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers had a great chance to be the first team to defeat the Falcons in Atlanta, but blew the game due to a costly turnover and some questionable non-challenges by head coach Mike McCarthy.

The loss cost the Packers their share of the NFC North lead and puts them at a disadvantage going down the stretch, as their last three games are against the Patriots, Giants and Bears.

There were three plays that probably should have been challenged by McCarthy, all of which would have significantly impacted the game.

Why he didn't challenge them is a mystery, but he didn't, and that's that. Here are three important plays on which McCarthy should have thrown the red challenge flag.

3. Dmitri Nance Run on Third Down To Set Up Field Goal

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers kicks a field goal against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Late in the first quarter, the Packers faced a third down deep inside Atlanta territory.

Aaron Rodgers turned and handed the ball to Dmitri Nance, who appeared to be stopped short of the first-down line.

But, a strong second effort appeared to take him past the first-down line.

If McCarthy had challenged that play and won, it would have set up a first and goal for the Packers. Instead, no challenge was made and the Packers settled for a field goal.

2. Aaron Rodgers Slide on Opening Drive

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rushes upfield away from Corey Peters #91 of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Aaron Rodgers was forced out of the pocket on third down during the Packers' first offensive possession.

He ran for what appeared to be a first down and then slid immediately after that. However, the official gave him a bad spot, placing the ball short of the first down.

Rodgers appeared to start his slide just beyond the first-down marker. A challenge probably would have extended that drive, something that would have been a good way to quiet the Atlanta crowd.

1. Tony Gonzalez Fourth Down

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons pulls in this reception against Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

In the second quarter, the Atlanta Falcons faced a fourth down just inside Packer territory.

Matt Ryan squeezed a pass into a tight window to tight end Tony Gonzalez, who made a nice catch on the play.

But, replays showed that it wasn't a catch at all. The ball hit the ground while Gonzalez was trying to gather it.

For some reason, McCarthy decided this huge, momentum-shifting play didn't warrant a challenge.

After the non-challenge, the Falcons naturally marched down the field for a touchdown.

Whoever is in charge of challenging plays in the Green Bay booth should have been fired immediately after missing that call.

Why Didn't He Challenge?

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Head Coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers on the sidelines against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

All three of the plays in question came in the first half, so maybe McCarthy figured he would hold onto his challenges for the second half.

If that was indeed the case, it is the wrong frame of mind for a head coach.

If the officials get an important call wrong, the play should be challenged. Period.

You can't assume there will be more missed calls later in the game that you will be able to challenge. You need to use challenges as they arise.

Not challenging any of those three questionable plays likely cost the Packers a victory on Sunday.

How Does The Loss Affect The Rest Of The Season?

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears breaks away from Quintin Mikell #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

The Packers needed to win that game on Sunday. The loss dropped them one game behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North.

The Bears look like a strong football team now after a shaky stretch in the middle of the season.

Now, the Packers are looking up in the division standings and the wild card standings. The Packers are currently out of the playoff picture, with the NFC's two wild-card spots going to the Saints and Giants if the season were to end today.

Green Bay needs to take advantage of their next two games (vs. San Francisco and at Detroit) if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.

Anything less than a 2-0 record in these games will likely end their playoff hopes.