INSIDE THE MATCHUPS
WHEN THE FALCONS HAVE THE BALL The mind instantly focuses on Matt Ryan throwing to Julio Jones, but Atlanta’s potency is so much more than one aerial connection. Ryan threw TD passes this season to an NFL-record 13 different players, and his MVP candidacy was augmented by a formidable twoheaded running back force — Devonta
Freeman and Tevin Coleman — that perfectly balances out the attack. Together, they have combined to average 221 yards from scrimmage and eight TDs in the past four games. Packers CB
LaDarius Gunter did a fabulous job earlier this season limiting Jones (three catches for 29 yards), but Jones was slowed by a lower-leg injury. More recently, Jones has been bothered by a left toe/foot issue. Still, the Packers do not have enough in their depleted secondary to deal with him and Mohamed Sanu, slot target Taylor Gabriel and rookie TE Austin Hooper. Safeties Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Micah Hyde will be stretched to the limit, and the Packers do not have enough of a pass rush to rattle Ryan. Edge: Falcons. WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL
Aaron Rodgers has been on, shall we say, a tear. In the red zone he has 34 TDs and no INTs. Rodgers gets exquisite protection from his offensive line and Rodgers buys additional time with his fast feet. The Packers barely run it with Ty Montgomery (above), but they throw it all over the lot. The Falcons win because they outscore teams — they allowed 25.4 points a game in the regular season. They are improving though, giving up fewer than 20 points in four of their past six regularseason games. Their pass rush is suspect, other than Vic Beasley (15.5 sacks), but Beasley was nullified in late October by right tackle Bryan Bulaga. There is no lock-down cornerback, with Robert Alford the best of the bunch. Jalen Collins and rookie nickel back Brian Poole could get toasted by Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and a newer threat, Jared Cook. Edge: Packers. SPECIAL TEAMS Who would have known back in 2002 that an unassuming Giants rookie kicker named Matt Bryant would last so long? Bryant, 41, in his 15th NFL season, remains a weapon for the Falcons. He hit 34-of-37 field goals and went 6-of8 from 50 yards or longer. Matt Bosher had 44 punts this season and only one of them went for a touchback, while nearly half (21) were downed inside the 20. Eric Weems is a capable returner. Mason Crosby was a Green Bay hero last week, drilling field goals of 56 and 51 yards in the final 93 seconds to stun the Cowboys. The Packers’ return game is ordinary. Edge: Falcons. COACHING
Mike McCarthy has been around this block before and was able to calm the rough seas when the Packers were 4-6 and riding a fourgame losing streak. He leans heavily on the brilliance of his quarterback and just enough defensive force from his longtime coordinator,
Dom Capers, who has been asked to get stops with a battered defensive roster. Dan Quinn made his reputation guiding the Seattle defense that made it two consecutive Super Bowls, but his Falcons are built on offense, which is why coordinator Kyle Shanahan likely is out the door to become the head coach of the 49ers whenever the Falcons are done playing. Edge: Packers.