Last Updated on November 24, 2010 8:38 pm by Anthony Rome
Packers vs. Falcons Preview
ATLANTA, GA – The Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers each feature a young, strong-armed quarterback and an aggressive defense that thrives on creating turnovers. This formula is proving to work well, as each team sits atop its respective division.
Matt Ryan’s Falcons and Aaron Rodgers’ Packers both look to extend their winning streaks to five Sunday at the Georgia Dome in a matchup of two of the NFC’s top Super Bowl contenders.
According to latest NFL odds, oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made Falcons 1-point spread favorites for Sunday’s game against Packers. Current NFL Public Betting Information shows that 66% of more than 6,740 bets for this game have been placed on Packers +1.
Atlanta (8-2) has the NFC’s best record and owns a one-game lead over both New Orleans and Tampa Bay in the South Division, while Green Bay (7-3) is tied atop the North with Chicago.
“It’s a game we are looking forward to, and it’s a big-time challenge,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “Atlanta is playing very well.”
The Falcons, winners of eight of nine, are averaging 31.5 points during a four-game winning streak, keyed by the play of Ryan.
The third-year star is averaging 275.8 yards with nine touchdowns and only one interception in the last four games, three times notching a quarterback rating of 100 or better. Atlanta is 14-0 when Ryan’s passer rating is over 100.
“We’ve been efficient offensively the past four or five weeks,” Ryan said after last Sunday’s 34-17 win at St. Louis. “Going forward, that’s kind of a recipe for success. You become difficult to beat.”
The Packers have had similar offensive success during their four-game run, averaging 28.3 points. With the ground game still struggling following the season-ending injury to running back Ryan Grant in Week 1, Rodgers and the passing attack are leading the way.
Rodgers, in his third year as a starter, threw for 301 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in last Sunday’s 31-3 win at Minnesota to give him nine TD passes to two interceptions in the last four games. Three of Rodgers’ touchdown passes last week went to Greg Jennings, who has 32 receptions for 520 yards and six TDs over his past five games.
“We’re right where we want to be,” Rodgers said. “We’re playing the way we feel we’re capable of playing. We’re 7-3, and the biggest thing offensively (is), we haven’t turned the ball over the last three games, and that’s how we’re going to win.”
The Packers are also winning with a defense that has limited its last three opponents to 10 total points while registering nine takeaways. Green Bay, tied with Chicago for the NFL’s top scoring defense at 14.6 points, is plus-10 in turnover margin during the winning streak.
“We’ve got a foot on the gas, hands on the wheel and we’re looking straight ahead,” McCarthy said.
The Falcons are also doing a good job of winning the turnover battle with a defense that is tied for second in the NFL with 15 interceptions. Atlanta is second in the NFL in turnover margin at plus-10, and is 17-1 when winning the turnover battle in three years under coach Mike Smith.
Remarkably, the Falcons have an even better winning percentage by simply take the field at the Georgia Dome with Ryan in the lineup. Ryan is 18-1 all-time at the Georgia Dome and has won 14 straight starts there since a 24-20 loss to Denver on Nov. 16, 2008.
Running back Michael Turner, who rushed for 131 yards for his fifth 100-yard game of the season last week, has also been at his best in Atlanta. In three years with the Falcons, Turner is averaging 101.3 rushing yards with 22 touchdowns in 18 games at the Georgia Dome.
Turner had 121 yards on 26 carries with a TD in Atlanta’s last game against the Packers, a 27-24 road win on Oct. 5, 2008, and could be poised for another big game. Green Bay has been a bit shaky against the run, allowing an average of 119.4 yards in its last five contests.
Rodgers threw for 313 yards with three touchdowns and an interception in the last meeting, while Ryan passed for 194 yards with two touchdowns and a pick.
Want More From TheSpread.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!This will be just the second meeting between these teams in Atlanta in the last 18 seasons, and first since Green Bay’s 33-25 win in 2005.