FALCONS PASS OFFENSE VS. PACKERS PASS DEFENSE

ADVANTAGE FALCONS

FALCONS: The Falcons have been absurdly effective through the air, where quarterback Matt Ryan has put up MVP-caliber numbers while leading the NFL by nearly a light year in yards-per-attempt (9.2) while completing 69.9 percent of his passes for 38 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He’s half of an All-Pro combination with wide receiver Julio Jones, who caught 83 passes for 1,409 yards and six touchdowns. He’s far from the Falcons’ only weapon, though, as Ryan set an NFL record by throwing touchdown passes to 13 players. Wideouts Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel and Aldrick Robinson can all do work, and even Coleman is a threat to go long. Gabriel is crazy fast, a serious weapon in the screen game. The offseason acquisition of Pro Bowl center Alex Mack has stabilized the offensive line. The Falcons rank No. 3 with an average of 295.3 passing yards per game.

PACKERS: This is a mismatch. Beyond the fact that Green Bay’s pass rush has been compromised by the age of end Julius Peppers and injuries to linebacker Clay Matthews, the secondary has been besieged by injury for a team that ranks 31st in pass defense while allowing 269.3 yards per game and 32 touchdown passes. They’re good at safety with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and especially Morgan Burnett, but Burnett suffered a quad injury last week against Dallas and is no lock to play. The Packers’ best cornerback, Sam Shields, was lost early in the season to a concussion, and more injuries and youth have been problematic at cornerback. Youngster LaDarius Gunter was smoked last week by the Cowboys’ Dez Bryant, and fellow starter Damarious Randall wasn’t a lot better. Quenten Rollins (concussion) didn’t play against Dallas and has been limited. Rookies Kentrell Brice and Josh Hawkins have been pressed into action recently.