Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons: What to Watch for
The Georgia Dome will be causing gigantic seismic shocks come Saturday. The crowd will be electric and causing disruptions with offense.
It's going to be a tough, uphill battle for the NFC's sixth seed team, and a rematch they won't soon forget. One game away from the NFC Championship Game for both teams.
Aaron Rodgers vs. Matt Ryan, Clay Matthews vs. John Abraham. Two great teams—only one winner.
Here is what to watch for.
James Starks Vs. Atlanta Defense
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Starks rushed for a Packers postseason rookie record 123 yards last week and will be key this week in their rematch versus Atlanta.
In their Week 12 matchup the Packers rushed for 77 combined yards. Fifty-one of those yards were by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Yikes.
It's no question that Starks should be getting the go this weekend. Starks is a spark and a catalyst on this offense. If Starks can do what he did vs. Philadelphia, he can help open the pass game, which the Packers did not have the privilege of in their Week 12 showdown.
Starks is going up against a good Atlanta rush defense that was 10th in the NFL this season in rushing yards per game, only allowing 105.9 yards.
Atlanta Secondary
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The big thing here is forcing the Packers to rely on an iffy running game. Starks has shown streaks of brilliance this season, but can he do it a second game in a row?
Last time around Rodgers tossed for 344 yards and a touchdown. Rodgers led the team's fourth quarter charge that ended up being meaningless when Atlanta ended up making its own march to a game-winning field goal.
Rodgers is the Packers offense's star. He leads the team and can do wonders with his arm. Take out Rodgers and force the Packers to win with their rushing, and Atlanta will once again win the game.
But here's the thing: Atlanta was ranked 22nd in passing yards allowed this season. It's yet to be seen in the playoffs how they will play, but looking at it from a stats perspective, Rodgers looks to have another big day ahead.
Packers Secondary Vs. Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez
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Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez are the two big name receivers Atlanta has. Last time these two teams met they combined for 11 receptions, 100 yards and a touchdown.
White had a great season, and that game against Green Bay was one of his worst games of the season. The Packers need to effectively shut him and Gonzalez down and make sure they don't do what they do best: score.
Gonzalez's touchdown capped an 80-yard drive for Atlanta in which Gonzo had four receptions for 36 yards.
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Michael Turner
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Michael Turner ran all over the Green Bay Packer defense in Week 12. Turner ran for 110 yards and a touchdown and proved Green Bay's great defense could be broken.
Last week they held Philadelphia's fifth-ranked rush offense to 81 yards. Turner has to find a way around them this weekend to help out. Green Bay was 18th during the season in rushing yards allowed and held the Eagles to 34 yards less than their average.
Turner is a serious game-changer for this game. If he rumbles around again, Atlanta could have a lot of opportunities to put Green Bay away.
Turnover Battle
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Whoever makes the first mistake will be putting themselves in a huge hole. Behind Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore, this will be the closest game.
Matt Ryan could make some mistakes, but his record at home points otherwise. Aaron Rodgers fumbled the last time, which led to the aforementioned Tony Gonzalez touchdown.
Points off turnovers will be crucial in this close game. Whoever makes fewer mistakes will be in a great position to win the game. Green Bay had four fumbles last week, losing two of them. They need to eliminate those mistakes if they want to beat Atlanta.
Special Teams
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David Akers missed two of three field goals last game, and that ended up being the difference between being eliminated and moving on. Week 12 vs. Green Bay, Matt Bryant hit the game-winning 47-yard field goal.
This game, like I mentioned before will be close. It's no question this rematch will be a field goal or less in difference.
Another late-game drive is in order and will most likely happen. Whether it's led by Matty Ice or Aaron Rodgers is yet to be seen.
Mason Crosby and Matt Bryant better bring their best kicking to this game. If one field goal is missed, it will be devastating for whoever misses it. It will be the difference between being eliminated and making an NFC Championship appearance.
Prediction
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It's going to be a great game to watch, marked by two great offenses.
Last game didn't disappoint and was capped by the best ending, a penalty that cost the Packers 15 yards and inevitably helped the Falcons tremendously.
The Packers will eliminate those mistakes and will keep the turnovers from happening this week. Coming off a strong win in Philadelphia in which they shut down the most versatile quarterback in the league will give the defense confidence coming into this match.
Packers will shut down the Falcons offense, and Starks will find room to run this week.
Again, like last week, take my prediction for what it's worth—I am a Packers fan.
Green Bay 21
Atlanta 20
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