2011 NFL Playoffs: How The Packers and Falcons Match Up By Position

The Green Bay Packers face off with the Atlanta Falcons this weekend to decide who gets to play in the NFC championship game.

It's a rematch of a Nov. 28 meeting between the two in which the Falcons defeated the Packers 20-17 in Atlanta.

It was an extremely competitive game the last time and there's nothing to say it won't be again.

Football often comes down to match-ups. The Falcons and the Packers have some outstanding players all over the field, but which team has the advantage where?

Here is a breakdown of some of the important match-ups that will decide Saturday's NFC divisional-round game.

Aaron Rodgers Vs. Atlanta's Pass Defense

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a touchdown in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philad

Atlanta's defense allowed 226.6 passing yards per game during the regular season, good (or is it bad?) enough for 22nd in the NFL.

Here comes Aaron Rodgers, one of the premier quarterbacks in the league who already torched the Falcons for 344 yards and a touchdown earlier this season.

But as much as the Falcons bent, they didn't break much.

Rodgers has his receivers healthy and is coming off his first postseason win. William Moore (five interceptions) will be roaming the secondary from his safety spot and Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson are tasked with shutting down Green Bay's talented wide receivers.

Edge: Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Running Backs Vs. Atlanta's Rush Defense

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by Moise Fokou #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Ph

James Starks burst out of nowhere to be one of the early postseason heroes, rushing 23 times for 123 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles in last week's wild-card game.

Starks carried only 29 times throughout the entire regular season. Brandon Jackson hasn't been great this season but has been a nice passing option out of the backfield.

Atlanta had the leagues 10th best rushing defense in the regular season.

Although it appears Green Bay has found someone to help carry the load in Starks, it's probably premature to rely on him to repeat his performance.

Edge: Atlanta's Rush Defense

Packers Offensive Line Vs. Falcons' Defensive Line

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Chauncey Davis #92 and John Abraham #55 of the Atlanta Falcons sack quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Somebody like James Starks doesn't suddenly rip off a 100-yard game without the help of a stout offensive line. Aaron Rodgers was only sacked once the last time these two teams met.

Atlanta has maximized the production of Pro Bowler John Abraham by limiting his reps. He got 13 sacks this season but will meet up with Pro Bowl tackle Chad Clifton for at least some of this game.

How the Packers manage Abraham will go a long way to determining their offensive success.

Edge: Green Bay's Offensive Line

Matt Ryan Vs. Green Bay's Pass Defense

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to pass during the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Ryan is a rising star in the NFL, making his first Pro Bowl this season. He's not prolific but he's a winner and is precise with his passes and decision-making.

At home, Ryan is 17-2 in his career.

He'll be facing last year's Defensive Player of the Year in Green Bay corner Charles Woodson and Pro Bowl snub Tramon Williams at the other corner.

Green Bay is a top-five passing defense that held Ryan to 197 yards passing Nov. 28.

Edge: Slight-edge to Green Bay's Pass Defense

Falcons' Running Backs Vs. Green Bay's Run Defense

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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 may be the Falcons' MVP this season, churning out yards and moving the chains.

Turner's 1,371 yards and 12 touchdowns earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl. However, he'd rather rush for more than 100 yards against the Packers again and end up in the Super Bowl.

B.J. Raji is one of the premier defensive tackles in the NFL, backed by the consistent if not spectacular A.J. Hawk at linebacker.

Green Bay gave up the 15th most rushing yards in the regular season, but also held the Philadelphia Eagles to 82 rushing yards last week.

Edge: Atlanta's Running Backs

Falcons' Offensive Line Vs. Packers' Defensive Line

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a sack against the Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelp

Atlanta only allowed 23 sacks this season, good enough for third least in the NFL. A steady running game and play-action passing helped ensure Matt Ryan's jersey stayed clean.

Green Bay has one of the NFL's biggest difference makers in Clay Matthews.

Matthews is listed as an outside linebacker but supplements the defensive line by getting up on the line of scrimmage in a down stance quite often.

He notched 13.5 sacks in the regular season but was held without one against Atlanta.

Edge: Atlanta's Offensive Line

Green Bay's Kick Coverage Vs. Atlanta's Kick Returners

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Eric Weems #14 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown on a punt return past Jason Baker #7 of the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Eric Weems has both a punt return touchdown and a kick return touchdown this season and earned Pro Bowl honors for his efforts.

He's very quick and possesses great vision.

Green Bay has given up one punt return this season, but overall has held opponents to an average of 11 yards per punt return and 21.8 yards per kick return.

Edge: Atlanta's Kick Returners

Atlanta's Kick Coverage Vs. Green Bay's Kick Returners

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers tries to break away from Delanie Walker #46 and Reggie Smith #30 of the San Francisco 49ers on a punt return at Lambeau Field on December 5, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packer

The Green Bay return game has been reliable, but not spectacular.

Tramon Williams returns punts and has a season long of 52 yards.

Jordy Nelson and Sam Shields do the majority of the kick-off returning. Nelson ripped a 51-yard return earlier this year, but that was the team's longest.

Atlanta has given up a kick-off return touchdown, but only allow 8.6 yards per punt return.

Edge: Atlanta's Kick Coverage

Roddy White Vs. Charles Woodson

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons fights off the tackle of Darren Sharper #42 of the New Orleans Saints during their game at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Roddy White is Matt Ryan's No. 1 target because of his size and speed.

White is one of the best the NFL has to offer at wide receiver. He caught five passes for 49 yards against Green Bay Nov. 28 but failed to really stretch the field.

Charles Woodson continues to play at an All-Pro level.

He's only snagged two interceptions this season, but has 92 tackles and makes any quarterback aware of his presence.

Edge: Push

Greg Jennings Vs. Dunta Robinson

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball after making a reception against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Jennings earned a Pro Bowl nod this season, finishing with no less than four catches in his last 11 games of the regular season.

Jennings was held to only one catch last week in Philadelphia but had five grabs for 119 yards against Atlanta Nov. 28.

Dunta Robinson is a solid corner, but is not a lock down cover man.

He has one interception this year while taking on the opponent's No. 1 receiver most of the time.

Edge: Greg Jennings

Matt Bryant Vs. Mason Crosby

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Michael Koenen #9 and Matt Bryant #3 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Matt Bryant is 28 of 31 kicking field goals on the season and has not missed inside 30 yards. He was also perfect on extra points this season.

Bryant boasts a career-long of 62 yards.

Mason Crosby kicked a career-long 56-yard field goal this season, but is only 22 of 28 kicking on the year.

Edge: Matt Bryant

Prediction

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

The Falcons hold more advantages than the Green Bay Packers, and the game should play out that way with Atlanta winning.

The two teams played down to the wire Nov. 28 and probably will do so again.

The biggest advantage in the the game is Atlanta running backs Michael Turner and Jason Snelling versus the Green Bay run defense. Although the duo may not rush for a monster game, their pacing runs help the Atlanta offense.

And Atlanta is 20-2 at home with Matt Ryan at quarterback.

Prediction: Atlanta 27-23