Dirty Bird Daily: Three reasons why the Falcons will beat the Packers
By John Follett
#1. The Falcons have proven to be the better team
The Atlanta Falcons finished 11-5 this season and didn’t suffer that one blowout loss most teams have on the resume. They did lose some games they shouldn’t have, but when we look back, it’s not insane to suggest the ‘Birds were a few plays from 14 or 15 wins. What I’m getting at is the consistency Atlanta has played with this season. Their offense has been high-octane all year and the defense has consistently improved since Week 1.
Things aren’t the same on the other side of the field where Green Bay has been feast or famine this season. The Packers began the season looking very pedestrian to include a blowout loss to Washington in late November. Green Bay obviously rallied from a 4-6 record to win the NFC North, but it wasn’t pretty journey. A close look into many Packers games in December and January reveal very inconsistent play.
Green Bay allowed 362 passing yards and 27 points to the Matt Barkley-led Bears in Week 15. A week later, they allowed Sam Bradford to throw for 382 yards and three touchdowns. It was then 347 passing yards to Matthew Stafford in Week 17. Granted the Packers won all three games, but only with the theme of, ‘start fast, stall later, and finish with fourth quarter magic’. I’ve often thought to myself this season: “The Falcons would hang 50 against that kinda of defensive effort”
Next: Falcons 'must-do' checklist vs. the Packers
The Falcons are simply better than the Packers this season. Cheese-heads won’t agree, but there’s no denying Atlanta has the better record, better statistics, and won the head-to-head in Week 8. They’ll claim the Packers, “are better now than they were back then”. Yes, they sure are…and so are the Falcons.