The Falcons did a great job on offense last week and it covered up for a porous defense that allowed the Packers to roll up 408 total yards of offense.  Michael Turner was the main man for the offense last week as he carried the ball 26 times for 121 yards (4.7 ypc) with a TD run as the Falcons rolled up 176 yards rushing as a team on 36 carries (4.9 ypc).  Rookie QB Matt Ryan was very efficient completing 16 of 26 passes for 194 yards with 2 TD passes and a interception.  WR Roddy White was solid as usual for the Falcons with 132 yards receiving on 8 grabs (16.5 avg) with a TD grab.  The Falcons’ O-Line deserves a lot of credit in this game as they didn’t allow a sack in this game.  The defense did give up 304 yards passing to the Packers but it didn’t hurt them in the end as they still won the game.  The Falcons are now a surprising 3-2 on the season.

Both of these teams are 2-2 on the season and the matchups look close in this football game.  But, the Falcons have not played well on the road getting beat by a identical 24-9 final score by each the Buccaneers and Panthers on the road.  Still, the Packers are allowing 157.8 yards rushing per game (5.2 ypc) and that will play right into the Falcons’ hands.  Michael Turner (422 yards rushing, 5.5 ypc) and Jerious Norwood (237 yards rushing, 7.0 ypc) will likely have big games against the Packers.  If the Falcons get the running game going, look for Matt Ryan to take some shots deep to WRs Roddy White and Michael Jenkins.  The Packers have 8 interceptions this season already so Ryan must be careful where he goes with the football.

Aaron Rodgers has a bum right shoulder and he will be a game time decision tomorrow.  The Packers can’t afford to be without Rodgers because rookies Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm to not appear ready for prime time quite yet.  Even if Rodgers does play the Packers will likely have to keep the passing game short so Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and James Jones will have to venture over the middle of the field.  The Packers might run the ball a lot more than usual with Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson against a Falcons’ defense that is allowing 131.3 yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry.

PREDICTION:  GREEN BAY PACKERS 21, ATLANTA FALCONS 20

The Falcons got pushed around last Sunday in Carolina.  Matt Ryan had a subpar game completing 21 of 41 passes for 158 yards.  The Panthers also ganged up on Michael Turner who rushed for only 56 yards on 18 carries (3.1 ypc).  Jerious Norwood should have gotten the ball more against the Panthers as he carried the ball only three times and rushed for 51 yards (17.0 ypc).  WR Roddy White led the way for the Falcons in the passing game with 7 catches for 90 yards (12.9 avg).  The Falcons finished up with 118 yards rushing on 23 carries (5.1 ypc) and they also completed 21 of 41 passes for 150 yards.

The Falcons’ defense did not play well in this game especially against the passing game of the Panthers.  CB Brent Grimes (10 tackles) and LB Curtis Lofton (8 tackles) led the way for the Falcons on defense in this game.  The Panthers finished up with 107 yards rushing on 33 carries (3.2 ypc) and they also completed 20 of 29 passes for 294 yards.  The Falcons fell to 2-2 on the season with this loss.