2011 NFL Playoff Predictions: Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons

After watching myself shoot 50 percent from the floor in last week's predictions, I should have asked for help with deciphering the codes that led to the answers of the Wild Card weekend.

True, I nailed the Jets-Colts final score on the nose, a statistical improbability on par with Antonio Cromartie wearing a condom or Tim Tebow losing his virginity (though hopefully not together). But the divisional round is a different beast, so I invited Flockaball regular contributor Ryan Thomas to give me his picks. We've done this before, so here's to hoping Ryan has a better showing in 2011. And away we go!

Ryan's Pick: Atlanta Falcons

Project 115 has launched in Atlanta. Its goal: to crank the decibel level up in the Georgia Dome so loud Saturday that even Spinal Tap will cringe in auditory pain. The fan-created movement is striving towards a sonic climax of 115 decibels in order to rattle the Packers and their offense. When the teams met back in Week 12, the home dome maxed out at 106.4 dB, and the result was a 20-17 Atlanta win.

Roddy White—Matt Ryan’s partner-in-crime down the field and the NFL’s second leading receiver—knew the win was the bee’s knees and had playoff implications.  

“I have no plans of going to Lambeau Field in January,” he said after the win. “I plan on staying right here and sleeping in my own bed in the playoffs.”

Green Bay’s defense will keep the game close, but Ryan’s uncanny amount of success in front of his home crowd will prove to be insurmountable. Matty Ice is 20-2 career when playing in his own building and, sure as shittin’, that’s one damn good winning percentage (.909).

Ryan, White and running back Michael Turner, who churned out the third most yards on the ground during the regular season, give the Falcons a formidable offensive trio.

The No. 3 is also the amount of sides belonging to a triangle, commonly believed to be the strongest geometrical shape, and the uniform number of Falcons field goal kicker Matt Bryant, who booted the game-winning field goal back in Week 12.  Falcons fans and numerologists are correct to feel good about this game.

—Ryan Thomas

Charlie's Pick: Green Bay Packers

True, the Falcons beat the Packers in Week 12.  But Atlanta snuck by Green Bay after the Packers couldn't kick-start their offense until the second half. Is there any thought that Green Bay will take two quarters to warm up Saturday night?

The Pack has scored 103 points in their past four games. And it appears that the team is starting to show discipline, committing just two penalties against Philadelphia after committing 98 during the regular season. Meanwhile, the Falcons committed 117 penalties during the regular season and haven't shown restraint as of late.

The Falcons have a good balance of star players on offense, but so did Philadelphia. The combination of DeSean Jackson/Jeremy Maclin/LeSean McCoy/Brent Celek is at least as good as Atlanta's Roddy White/Michael Jenkins/Michael Turner/Tony Gonzalez, and that's before the X-factor: defending Michael Vick. The Packers defended the explosive offense and dangerous Vick well; Matt Ryan won't present as much of a challenge.

Ryan wants to throw his name in the ring for the title of best young quarterback, but through at least 2011, that's Rodgers' crown. Atlanta may be the trendy NFC Super Bowl pick, but three playoff participants beat them in 2010. Green Bay will be the fourth.

—Charlie Peters