Packers-Falcons Preview

After coming off the road, the Atlanta Falcons (2-2) will return home to face the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers (4-0) in a prime-time match and looks to earn revenge on this team. Last season, the sixth seeded Packers stunned the top seeded Falcons at home in the divisional playoffs 48-21 to end the magical 13-3 campaign that Atlanta had in 2010. In the regular season, the Falcons have won their last two match ups against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and will look to keep their perfect record against the defending champs this weekend. The Falcons will look to start a winning streak after earning a close road victory against the Seattle Seahawks 30-28 in a must-win game and now this will be a huge test for Atlanta. Sunday will be the second of four prime time matches for the Falcons this season, their previous game was a 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. This blog will explain some of the  factors to victory, key matchups, and my game prediction.




KEYS TO VICTORY OVER THE PACKERS:


1. Establish the running game against the Packers defense

Despite the Packers having a (4-0) season, their defense is struggling to defend the run and last  week they surrendered (100) yards rushing against Broncos running back Willis McGahee despite winning in a blowout. This week, the Falcons must get Michael Turner and their rushing attack going in order to help their offense create a huge impact on Sunday's game. Last season, in the Falcons 20-17 victory against the Packers, Michael Turner had a huge game for the offense as he posted (110) rushing yards and a rushing touchdown and it forced the Green Bay defense to respect Turner's effectiveness and their aggression was limited due to the strong balance the Falcons brought in that victory. However, against the Packers in the postseason, Atlanta completely abandoned the running game after the first quarter and without establishing the rushing attack, the offense was forced to rely on their passing game. In this match up, it's very important that the Falcons establish their dominance on the ground and create opportunities for Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers to have a impact on the game. This season, Green Bay is (2nd) best in the NFL against opposing running games; however, they struggled against Michael Turner and this game will be up to the veteran running back to establish himself against the aggressive Packers defense. 


2. Matt Ryan must use all of his offensive weapons against the Packers defense

Coming off his best performance of the season against Seattle last week, Matt Ryan must utilize  his explosive receiving core and take Green Bay's aggressiveness of defense away from them on Sunday. This season, the Packers defense is ranked (31st) in the NFL with passing yards surrendered in a game (335.8) and the Falcons need to get Roddy White and Julio Jones going in this prime time matchup. Jones, coming off his second straight (100) yard receiving game is making a huge impact in the Falcons passing attack this year. Matt Ryan must give his rookie receiver good passes in order to keep Atlanta's offense going on Sunday because last year in the playoffs, Green Bay's defense made it tough for Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez to have any impact against them and Jones was drafted to the Falcons as an option to produce big offensive plays at a faster rate. Also, the Packers struggled against some of the quickest receivers in the league through their first four games as they surrendered over (100) receiving yards to New Orleans Saints receiver Devery Henderson, Carolina Panthers star receiver Steve Smith, and Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Lloyd. Julio Jones could make a huge impact on the outcome of Sunday's matchup if Matt Ryan is able to have an effective effort from his young receiver. Also, the Falcons need to give Harry Douglas opportunities on Sunday because on the opposing side, you will see the Packers use all of their receiving core and the Falcons must make themselves unpredictable against Dom Capers and the Packers defensive unit.


3. The offensive line must protect Matt Ryan

Last week, the Falcons offensive line had a great game and did not allow a sack for the first time this season in the victory against the Seahawks and they will need to establish a impact on the Green Bay defense in order to protect Matt Ryan and allow the Falcons offense to give Green Bay problems. Despite struggling to defend the passing game this season, the Packers are tied with Buffalo Bills for the most interceptions in the NFL through four games with (8) and their defense also is tied for (8th) in the league in sacks with (11.0) so the Atlanta offensive line must contain Clay Matthews and the rest of the Packers defense from getting to Matt Ryan and they must limit their chances of getting hits on Ryan on Sunday night. Coming into the game, the Falcons have allowed the (3rd) most quarterback hits in the league with (28) so the Packers will look to blitz the Falcons and try to contain Matt Ryan from having any impact.


4. The Falcons defense must pressure and SACK Aaron Rodgers 

Atlanta is facing one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL on Sunday Night and he is a mismatch for any defense that faces the Green Bay offense and the Falcons have to get after Rodgers in order to stop him from making a major impact. During the playoffs, Atlanta pressured the Packers; however, they missed critical sacks and Rodgers was given extra time to keep his offense going and to make plays under pressure, which turned out to be a killer for Atlanta's defensive unit. On Sunday, John Abraham and Ray Edwards must bring an aggressive strategy to prevent the sixth year quarterback from attacking the Falcons secondary like he was able to last time these two teams faced off. Aaron Rodgers is currently (2nd) in the NFL in touchdown passes with (12) , (1st) in the NFL with a quarterback rating of a staggering (124.6), (4th) in the NFL with (331.2) passing yards per game, and (1st) in the NFL with a completion percentage of (73.0) and the Falcons defensive line have to prevent him from making a major impact on Sunday night's game. Coming into the Falcons game, the passing defense is ranked (24th) with (275.5) and have only sacked opposing quarterbacks (5) times and on Sunday, that will be a huge factor in the Packers-Falcons game is to pressure Rodgers and make it difficult for him to make any plays in the Falcons game. The Falcons could force Aaron Rodgers into interceptions by applying pressure as Atlanta is currently ranked (5th) in the NFL with picks and forcing turnovers can help the Falcons win the game.


KEY MATCHUPS:


Falcons Offensive Line vs Green Bay 3-4 Defense:

Atlanta's offensive line must provide the best protection for the entire Falcons offense against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Dom Capers is one of the best coordinators in the league and that defense have many playmakers such as Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, and Tramon Williams and they will bring pressure at Matt Ryan and try to force him into turnovers. Green Bay have forced (14) turnovers through the first four games of the NFL season and Atlanta must make smart decisions on Sunday Night. Coming off their best game of the year, the Falcons offensive line must consistently block for Matt Ryan in order to secure a win.


Julio Jones vs Tramon Williams:

Last season, the Falcons saw Williams end their hopes as he celebrated an interception in the playoffs; however, this season the Green Bay corner back will have a huge challenge trying to defend explosive rookie Julio Jones. As Charles Woodson will be matched up against Roddy White, this will give the opportunity for this young rookie wide receiver to make a huge impact on the game. The Packers defense have struggled against quick receivers with play-making abilities so far as Steve Smith and Brandon Lloyd both accounted for (150+) yards receiving efforts. Jones is having a huge start to his NFL career and he will be one of the key factors that will help Atlanta win on Sunday.

Tony Gonzalez vs Packers safeties:

This final matchup could be huge in securing a victory for the Falcons because they need to get their veteran tight end involved in the Falcons offense. Gonzalez will provide a mismatch for the Packers secondary due to the loss of Nick Collins at safety, this will give Matt Ryan the chances to give him the ball and allow him to make a impact on the passing game. This season, the Packers have struggled to contain tight ends and using Tony Gonzalez in Atlanta's offense will be a difference maker for the outcome of the game. In their last regular season matchup, Gonzalez was clutch as he posted (6) catches for (51) yards as he came up with a huge 4th down conversion, which set himself up to score a touchdown pass before halftime and give Atlanta the lead. In this match-up, Tony Gonzalez will be a huge factor towards making the Falcons offense effective and consistent.


FINAL PREDICTION:
Falcons fans will sweat to the end as Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan will duel it out in front of a national television audience and a sell-out crowd at the Georgia Dome as the Falcons look to earn revenge on the team who ended their great 2010 season. Michael Turner will surpass the (100) yard rushing mark and provide a major factor in helping the Falcons earn a close win. This game will be decided by a Matt Bryant field goal late in the fourth quarter as Atlanta wins 24-21 and improve to 3-2. Until the post-game report, FALCONS RISE UP!!!!