NFL Playoffs: Breaking Down Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons, Round 2

The Green Bay Packers' Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles earns them a trip to Atlanta this weekend, their second of the season.

The Falcons prevailed 20-17 in Week 12 on a Matt Bryant field goal as time expired. Saturday night's divisional playoff looks to be just as good as the No. 6 Packers are winners of three straight, while the 13-3 Falcons possess the conference's top seed and home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

Join B/R as we break down Packers-Falcons, round two.

Quarterback Matchup

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers prepares to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

Both quarterbacks sport nearly identical statistics this season. Both are young signal callers with very bright futures. And both certainly have the talent and weapons around them to compete for it all this postseason.

Matt Ryan

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Atlanta's Matt Ryan had a phenomenal 2010 campaign. The former Boston College Eagle threw for 28 touchdowns and only nine interceptions this season.

Ryan's quarterback rating of 91.0 speaks volumes to his decision making and overall efficiency as the Falcons' man under center.

However, Aaron Rodgers' statistics seem to one up Ryan's.

Aaron Rodgers

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers scrambles against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick La

Rodgers' 2010 season was marked by success and a couple of devastating concussions that nearly kept his squad out of the postseason.

Through it all Rodgers still managed a cool 3,922 yards passing and 28 touchdowns. He did throw 11 interceptions; however his passer rating (101.2) and yards per attempt (8.26) were both better than Matt Ryan's.

Ryan's average in 2010 was just 6.49. Though Ryan has a much better running game to lean on, Rodgers' average is a testament to the downfield threat he presents.

Even more eye-opening is Rodgers' recent numbers. Since returning from a concussion in Week 16, Rodgers has played in three games. In those three games, the Packers are 3-0, outscoring their opponents 76-36.

In the three victories, Rodgers has thrown for a combined eight touchdowns to just one interception. He also has a combined 813 passing yards with a quarterback rating of 117.4.

Backfield Matchup

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons runs upfield during the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Michael Turner has been the staple of Atlanta's running game all season long, while the Packers (due to an early season injury to Ryan Grant) have struggled to run the ball, relying heavily on the arm of Aaron Rodgers in 2010.

James Starks

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers avoids the tackle of Ernie Sims #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Green Bay Packers' James Starks rushed for a record 123 yards in Sunday's Wild Card win over the Eagles. The total was the most by any Packer rookie in a playoff game.

Starks' performance was a breath of fresh air for an offense that saw little success on the ground in the regular season.

Though the Packers have several admirable players in the back field, Starks gives the Packers' offense another dimension, a ground attack, which is a must in the postseason.

Michael Turner

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes rushes upfield away from Nick Collins #36 of the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Atlanta's Michael Turner is one of the league's elite backs. Turner rushed for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2010.

If there is anything we can criticize Turner and the Falcons for, it's his number of rushes. Turner had 334 rushes this season, resulting in a rushing average of 4.1, which is rather, well, average.

Also, though Turner has seven 100-yard rushing games to his name this season, he hasn't surpassed the 100-yard plateau since Week 14 at Carolina. Turner was bottled up the last three games of the regular season, rushing for an average of 3.3 yards per carry and just one touchdown.

Defensive Matchup

Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 03: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers looks on against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)

Both the Packers and Falcons possess two of the league's best defenses; otherwise they wouldn't be playing for a trip to the NFC Championship Game.

Playmakers are ever-present on both sides, and each will be key in slowing down two of the NFL's more potent offensive attacks.

Atlanta

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: The Atlanta Falcons defense enters the field to face the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Falcons defense certainly doesn't jump out statistically. But numbers never tell the entire story. Atlanta ranks just 22nd in the league defending the pass, and 10th against the run.

The 105.9 yards on the ground that the Falcons let up on average is a winning number, especially if that same defense is playing against a weak running team like the Green Bay Packers.

Though the Falcons do struggle somewhat defending the skies, allowing over 226 passing yards per game, it's hardly a death sentence given their talented secondary and dominating pass rush.

Green Bay

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: The defense of the Green Bay Packers celebrate a play against the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Green Bay stoppers have been praised in recent seasons for their championship-build. Led by veteran Charles Woodson and up-and-coming superstar Clay Matthews, the Packers defense was one of 2010's best statistically.

Green Bay routinely shuts down the opposing passing attack, ranking fifth in the league against the pass. The Packers allow just over 194 passing yards per game.

Their rushing defense is another story, however, as they rank 18th in the NFL, allowing nearly 115 yards on the ground on average.

Green Bay rarely allows more than 17 points per game though, ranking second in scoring defense. Only Pittsburgh is better this season.

Also remember that the Packers have never trailed by more than seven points in any game in 2010. Just saying.

X-Factor

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

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)

While both teams are certain to bring their A-game on Saturday night, an X-factor no one saw coming could make all the difference.

Whether it's a kicker that nails the game-winner at the horn, or a return man who shakes loose one too many times, an X-factor is a game changer.

Matt Bryant

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 07: Matt Bryant #3 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Georgia Dome on November 7, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Atlanta's Matt Bryant has missed just three field goals this season. He made 28 of 31 attempts and has three game-winning field goals as well, including two in the Georgia Dome (one against the Packers in Week 12).

Bryant's 90 percent success rate this season on field goals stands out as an Atlanta X-factor. If the game is decided by a late field goal, or the new overtime rules come into effect, expect Matt Bryant to be prepared.

Tramon Williams

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts the pass intended for Riley Cooper #14 of the Philadelphia Eagles late in the fourth quarter during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on J

Green Bay's Tramon Williams came up huge for the Packers in their Wild Card victory over the Eagles. Williams made the game-sealing interception of Michael Vick in the end zone with seconds remaining.

Williams leads the Packers this season with six interceptions. He also plays a pivotal role as Green Bay's punt returner on occasion.

Williams is an explosive young player who can dominate at corner as well as make a game-changing interception and or return.

Prediction?

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

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)

As a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan, I will not make a prediction for Saturday night's divisional game. The Atlanta Falcons should have the slight edge as the No. 1 seed and the home team. However, the Packers are riding a three-game winning streak as well as the hot hand of Aaron Rodgers.

Feel free to comment with thoughts or predictions.

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.