NFL Playoffs: Are the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers the Most Feared Team?

The Green Bay Packers almost beat the New England Patriots in the regular season, but their quarterback for that game was Matt Flynn, not all-pro Aaron Rodgers.

If Rodgers had been able to play, the Packers would likely have beaten the Patriots. Instead, he was recovering from a concussion, but is now healthy, and Atlanta Falcons fans should be scared.

Rodgers and the Packers offense are one-dimensional. After losing their starting running back Ryan Grant in the season opener, the Packers have gotten little production out of the running game.

They decided not to trade for Marshawn Lynch, who won the Seattle Seahawks their playoff opener vs. the New Orleans Saints on Saturday.

But Green Bay's passing attack is so good that head coach Mike McCarthy doesn't need to worry about the running game not stepping up.

Rodgers has a great group of wide receivers to throw to, led by Greg Jennings, who burst onto the the NFL scene in 2007 and has become a top receiver.

Jennings and fellow receivers James Jones and Donald Driver make up one of the best receiving corps in the league, and each guy poses a different threat. 

The Packers also play great defense, which has earned more respect with each passing week. Linebacker Clay Matthews has been a defensive beast this season and was among the league leaders in sacks.

Matthews made the Pro Bowl this season and was joined in that honor by safety Nick Collins and cornerback Charles Woodson.

The Packers are a fast, physical defense, but are also very intelligent. General manager Ted Thompson has created an amazing roster of quality players, having to use inexperienced players due to the Packers having over 10 players on injured reserve.

The Packers gave the Patriots, who are the AFC favorites, their toughest test of the season. Yes, the Patriots played poorly, but the Packers proved they could contend with the league's best team with their backup quarterback at the helm.

Despite the injuries and the inexperience of playing at this stage of the playoffs, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are peaking at the right time. 

Green Bay has a lot to prove and will give the Falcons a fight for their lives on Saturday.

The New York Giants showed us in 2007 that the most dangerous team is the hottest team in January, not necessarily the most talented.