playoff position on primetime under the lights of Lambeau Field with two of the best quarterback battling it out. Fast forward to this week where Green Bay might still be out a starting quarterback, Falcons are one of the five worst teams in the NFL and Packers will be out with the playoffs with a sixth consecutive week without a win.
I thought about saving this post until we knew about Aaron Rodgers. Either today or Saturday, we will know if Rodgers is going to play on Sunday. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said his sources told him it is unlikely. Many others are cautious with Rodgers not taking any more tests to get medically cleared this week. But my guess is Rodgers lied to every single reporter about it. He might still fail another test, but i think he is sick and tired of things getting leaked out meaning he is taking another test today or tomorrow. Basically, there are two ways to look at this thing.If Rodgers plays, this game becomes so much bigger. The crowd will get a boost along with the offense and defense. We talked about how to manage expectations if Rodgers gets cleared to play on Sunday. I cannot assume he will be at MVP levels right away coming back from a collarbone injury. If Rodgers plays, I doubt we will see him throwing the ball 40 times plus the weather is going to be arctic conditions again and probable snow means Eddie Lacy should see a big carry day. For whatever it's worth, Atlanta's pass defense ranks 20th overall with being one of the worst in yards per attempt at 8.0 and having a league worst 22 sacks meaning Rodgers or Matt Flynn will have some protection.
If Rodgers is standing on the sidelines, Matt Flynn will take over for a second straight start. It sounds like offensive players like James Jones and others still believe in him which is encouraging to hear after his putrid Detroit performance. My guess is if he were to struggle with the playoffs on the line, Scott Tolzien might come into the game after halftime. Although the Packers should go straight to the running game with Lacy. Atlanta is 29th in stopping the run with giving up 4.8 yards a carry and teams are averaging 135.4 yards a game against the Falcons. Lacy should eat like he has all year showing the Thanksgiving Day disaster was merely a blip on the radar.
I cannot believe I am doing this, but I am going to defend this defense at least for one week. Dallas might be shaky next week, but against Atlanta at home, they can take care of business. 10 days they heard how much they sucked and how bad they looked throughout different channels of media. Matt Ryan can turn the ball over as well as Steven Jackson is not a cold weather running back by any means. If they have any fortitude, Green Bay defense steps up to the moment. If they do not and say Atlanta puts up 35 points, I honestly feel like it is time for Dom Capers to hand his resignation. I do not think Mike McCarthy would fire him, but if Capers quits, I feel actions would speak louder than words. Related, I am interested to see what Sean Richardson can do at safety.
As for the game, I have picked with the Packers for the last six weeks. On Wednesday, I felt 70/30 Rodgers was playing and now I am done to 60/40. I would get tickets if I were you and not going to the Pittsburgh game. Dirt cheap prices to be at Lambeau plus the chances Rodgers might play. Green Bay controls the clock and wins this one. Packers 24 Falcons 14
Charlie.
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