Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons NFC Divisional Playoffs Saturday

Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons NFC Divisional Playoffs Saturday: If the Packers found a running game last week, the rest of the NFC should be very, very worried. Green Bay had one weak link, and the way James Starks ran last week has me re-thinking the Packers altogether. I like Atlanta’s team, and they’re even better at home, but the close games are going to finally get to Atlanta one of these days, why not against a hot Green Bay club?

I’ve always been a fan of teams that come in with some success in a playoff situation, and the Packers definitely have that. Not because they have won a bunch of playoff games with the crew they have, but because they needed to win out against a couple pretty dang good teams to get into the playoffs at all. They beat the Giants in fine fashion, killing them all over the field 45-17. Then they toughed out a win against a Bears team that didn’t rest one single guy, doing their best to oust their division rival. And they got Philadelphia in Philly last weekend for a huge playoff win. Rodgers is really good, and now he’s confident. The Packers have the better defense, and that will be a big part of this game.

I really like both these teams, and the Falcons run the ball better than Green Bay – I just think the success the Packers had down the stretch and in Round 1 work wonders for them here. Atlanta’s still a young team with a young QB that is, in all respects, unproven in the big game. The Falcons played a ton of close games this year, and even though they won 9 of their last 10, pulling home the Week 1 playoff bye, the team can be vulnerable.

These teams went at it back in Week 11 (or so) and Atlanta just skipped by the Packers 20-17. I give round 2 to the road team, but it’ll be a close one!

Green Bay Packers (+2) @ Atlanta Falcons