Fireworks expected from NFC rivals
Packers and Falcons make up for weak defences with explosive offences led by star quarterbacks
>> ATLANTA: Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and Atlanta’s Matt Ryan, each guiding a potent NFL offensive attack, are expected to stage a high-scoring showdown tomorrow morning (Thai time) with a Super Bowl berth at stake.
The National Conference champions will face either Pittsburgh or New England in Super Bowl 51 on Feb 5 at Houston.
Green Bay, four-time Super Bowl winners with a record 13 crowns overall dating to 1929, last went to the championship spectacle in 2011, when they beat Atlanta on the way to the title.
The Falcons, who will be playing their final game at the Georgia Dome before they move to a new stadium next season, lost to Denver in 1999 in their only Super Bowl appearance.
Ryan sparked the NFL’s most prolific point producers this season, scoring 71 more than their nearest rival. He threw for a club-record 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns with seven interceptions.
Atlanta edged the Packers 33-32 in an October regular-season game, Ryan hitting Mohamed Sanu with an 11-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds remaining to lift the Falcons to victory.
“Just going through it, you’re going to have to score some points,” Ryan said. “Obviously, they’re capable of making plays. We had to score points late in that game. I think the biggest thing you know is it’s going to be a 60-minute game. They’re competitive, they’re tough, and they play hard for four quarters.”
The Falcons are on a five-game win streak during which Ryan has completed 115-of-157 passes for 1,469 yards and 14 touchdowns without an interception.
But Rodgers has led Green Bay to eight consecutive triumphs, completing 68.9 percent of his passes for 298 yards a game, 21 touchdowns and only one interception.
“He has played incredible,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s in a great rhythm right now. Is he playing the best he ever has? He has played at this level so often, but I think this is probably one of his best runs.”
Neither team boasts a stellar defensive unit. Green Bay ranked second-worst in the NFL against the pass with Atlanta 26th of 32. Both teams were also among the bottom quarter of league clubs in preventing third down conversions and denying rivals points after they reach the 20-yard line.
“We’re ready for this, hopefully, and I think it will show on Sunday [tomorrow morning, Thai time],” said Packers linebacker Clay Matthews.
Ryan’s top target, Julio Jones, missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with a toe injury but vows he will play tomorrow morning. Jones led the Falcons with 83 catches and 1,409 reception yards with six touchdowns.
Atlanta also boasts Sanu, with 59 catches for 653 yards and four touchdowns, Taylor Gabriel, with 35 receptions for 579 yards and six touchdowns, plus running backs Devonta Freeman, with 1,079 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, and Tevin Coleman, who ran for 520 yards and eight touchdowns.
Ten Falcons caught at least two touchdown passes this season, an NFL record.
Rodgers has an injury-nagged receiving corps with Jordy Nelson suffering cracked ribs two weeks ago. Davante Adams, hindered by a sore ankle, and Geronimo Allison, who has a hamstring injury, missed workouts on Wednesday and Thursday.
“In the regular-season mindset, none of them would play,” McCarthy said. “But, obviously, this is a different time, this is a different point where we are in the season. Everybody understands where we are here.”
“We have won without them before,” said Rodgers, who threw some passes on Thursday to Nelson.
“I’ve never played with broken ribs,” said Nelson. “I don’t know if you can prepare. It’s one of those things that you’ll figure out when you get out there. If it happens, we’ll see how it goes. But, right now, I’m just focused on getting back to full motion.”
Ryan enjoys the rivalry with Rodgers, who threw four touchdown passes against Atlanta in their regular-season contest.
“It’s always fun,” Ryan said. “Aaron’s a good guy. I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a good friend. I respect him so much because he’s such a great competitor.”