Packers Vs. Falcons: Aaron Rodgers, Packers Obliterate Atlanta To Clinch Spot In NFC Championship Game
Aaron Rodgers shelled the Atlanta secondary all night, going 31-of-36 for 366 yards and three touchdowns. When the Falcons defensive front did get close to Rodgers, he often was able to elude the pressure and complete a pass downfield. Tramon Williams reprised his role as playoff hero for Green Bay, picking Ryan twice.
Matt Ryan was 20-of-29 for 186 yards and a touchdown for Atlanta, but most of those stats were padded with a late-game spark. When it really mattered, Ryan threw two interceptions, one of them a mistake in placing the ball and the other a mistake in throwing it in the first place. The quarterback who had earned the nickname “Matty Ice” while winning 90 percent of his home games seemed to melt when the lights got too bright.
Overall, Green Bay was dominant on defense. The Packers limited Atlanta to 194 yards of offense, slowing down Michael Turner early, with the offense then making him irrelevant as the points mounted.
The Packers will face the winner of Sunday’s showdown between the Seahawks and the Bears, a game in which Chicago will be heavily favored. And while the winner of that game will technically be the higher seed in the NFC Championship Game — yes, even if it’s Seattle — there’s little doubt that Green Bay will be the favorite. After Saturday night’s performance, it would be hard to argue that they shouldn’t be.
Packers fans can celebrate and get ready for the conference championship game with Acme Packing Company. Falcons fans can chew over the end of the season at The Falcoholic.
