In the preseason, the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers looked like a potential NFC playoff matchup. However, the two teams took very different paths when the year is started and now the game was removed from its primetime spot for an afternoon game. The Falcons are eliminated from the postseason, while the Packers are on the brink of being done.
The Packers quarterback status was unknown for most of the week until it became official on Friday that Aaron Rodgers would not play. The quarterback fractured his collarbone and has to receive clearance. In his place, Matt Flynn will get his second shot at starting after a disastrous Thanksgiving day performance.
Since Rodgers went down, the Packers are 0-4-1. They were routed by Detroit in Week 13, losing the tiebreaker as the Lions have the best record in the NFC North. If the Packers lose to the Falcons, the team could be done for good and Rodgers might be shut down for the remainder of the season.
The Falcons are coming off a win against Buffalo, ending their five-game losing streak that has plagued their season. Quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked six times. but he still managed to put up 300 yards passing as Roddy White had 10 catches for 143 yards. It was the most offense Atlanta has put up since the start of the year, not that it matters any more.
The Falcons defense will be focused on the Packers run game and rookie Eddie Lacy. The running back in ninth in the league with 822 yards, but was stuffed against Detroit for just 10 yards on 16 carries. If the Falcons can hold off Lacy and Flynn could fail to impress, Atlanta could string together its first win streak of the year.
