Packers Weekly: The Game of the Year (so far)

The best delights in life are the ones that come unexpectedly. Without fanfare when they arrive they are seldom noticed and not appreciated until long after the event. You know how to prepare for Christmas, for example, but how does one adjust to say, a winning lottery ticket?

Time, and perspective, put it all into context.

One such moment is now at hand.

The leaders of the NFC meet the Pack this week in Atlanta, where the red hot Falcons and Green Bay square off. There’s not much at stake here; first place overall in the NFC, a virtual lock for a playoff spot, and maybe even home field advantage. Just another midseason game of little importance.

So let’s clear the crap off the table and get right down to it.

Atlanta QB Matt Ryan

Hot-lanta is playing just like that – hot. They have a well balanced, high flying offense led by QB Matt Ryan (photo left)and studs in all the key positions. RB Michael “Burner” Turner, WR Roddy White and All Galaxy TE Tony Gonzales are all having great years and have vaulted the Falcons to the top of the NFC.

Here’s a scary thought – the Falcons do not lose at home nor do they beat themselves. They are a possession first type of offense and can grind out a game with the best of them. This is the type of team that can have the Packers number.

On the other hand Green Bay is sporting a nice little winning streak of their own. In the past 3 games the Packer D has allowed the tidy total of 10 points. 10. T – E – N. Rest assured the Falcon brass knows this as well.

And toss in the fact that the Packers are now aka the Coach Killers, having been responsible for Wade Phillips and Brad Childress being pink slipped less than 24 hours after the Packers annihilated them both (Oh, and we have to applaud ourselves for calling both of these long in advance of the occurance. We are nothing if not prescient, humble and self congratulatory) and all the components are there for what is easily the game of the week, maybe even of the entire NFC season. With all due respect to Chicago Philly, where the Bears keep getting it done with an outstanding D but a very shaky offense and the Eagles are now flying high with Michael Vick at the helm both teams have far more areas of concern than either GB or the Falcs.

The intriguing areas here are the combined inconsistencies of GB’s Offense and Atlanta’s Defense. The Packers have sputtered at times but have begun to show life in the most recent blowouts. While a compelling argument can be made that both the Cowboys and Vikings are not very good, there is something to said about playing above and beyond expectation regardless. Muhammad Ali had memorable fights against Joe Frazier, but he also retained his title against the likes of Jerry Quarry and Chuck Wepner, the tomato cans who added another W in his W/ L column.

Atlanta HC Mike Smith

Has the Pack turned the corner offensively? This is as good a time as any to find out. HC Mike Smith (photo right) will NOT get the axe after this game for any reason. He has literally turned this franchise around in the wake of the Michael Vick debacle and is well respected by his players and his peers. The Falcons have a great record at 8 – 2 but there is concern in Atlanta over its D and how many points they give up. Atlanta has won but struggled against teams like the Bengals, Rams, 49ers and Browns. They keep hanging up wins but it is fair to say that they haven't exactly blown away the weak competition. The Falcon D has given up some yards, sometimes alot of yards and DL John Abraham has been nicked up and is hoped to be back for this game. There are some nervous nellies in Dixie if Abe can't go. Outside of MLB Curtis Lofton the D may be susceptible to a team that can throw it all over the lot, a team like, say… the Green Bay Packers.

RB Dimitri Nance

The Falcs concern is primarily in its secondary where the corners rely way too much on their safeties for over the top help. S William Moore leads w 4 INTS while CB Brent Grimes has 3… but zero from high priced FA pickup Dunta Robinson. A team that can stretch the field and spread its receivers has a decent shot at bringing down the Falcons. And the Pack can spread the field with the best of them.

Dimitri Nance (photo left) looked solid in his first game last week. In the sub ploty Nance was a pick up from Atlanta's pratice squad when RB Ryan Grant went down for the year. He has been handled well and not been pressed into service immediately. Credit MM for not rushing the kid in. Maybe it pays long term dividends. Look for James Starks (photo right) in the not too distant future to get some touches. Word has it Starks is healthy and looks very good... but looking good in practice and on the field is a different matter.

RB James Starks

But it won’t be the offense that wins this. This is a game where the best D will take it. Right now the Packers defense is exactly this – the best defense in the NFL and playing red hot.

DC Dom Capers

So, does that make the Packers the best defense in the NFL? It’s a great argument. But one inalienable fact is they are the HOTTEST D in the NFL at this moment. Until they are cooled, enjoy the ride. Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers (photo left) has done such a spectacular job given all the injuries and TT deserves as many slaps on the back as can be mustered for putting guys on the field to keep this D going. The Packers LBs just might be inching towards elite status, and if Hawk and CM3 can keep up the pace this game will be a classic. When the schedule was put together this game did not show up as a blip on anyone’s radar.

But it has become a possible NFC title game preview and deservedly so.

This Sunday the air will be filled with footballs from both sides. In a horse race, when the field is split among the favorites, you bet the long shot. Look for the unsung, unexpected hero to step up. The guy that is there but not necessarily the star of the team is the guy to turn this game around. Both ARod and Matty Ice have good days but it will be a Jordy Nelson or Nance or defensive play to turn this one around.

This game comes down to Green Bay’s Offense vs. Atlanta’s Defense, and Atlanta’s O vs. Green Bay’s D. It is said that Defense Wins Championships. Advantage – Green Bay, the Immovable Force.

And Atlanta counters with they do not lose at home. Advantage, Atlanta, the Irresistible Object.

Both teams make statements in this game as well, serving notice to the rest of the NFC.

And the call here is (in a great back and forth game)