The wily veteran did in the young studs and the Green Bay Packers are headed back to the NFC Championship Game. The Pack stunned the Cowboys behind another MVP-type effort from Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay will have to tussle with another strong offensive club when they meet the Atlanta Falcons for the right to represent the National Football Conference in Super Bowl LI. The Falcons had no problems with Seattle’s defense and will get a chance to close out the Georgia Dome in style.
The NFC Championship game will go down Sunday, January 22, 2017, at 3:05 p.m. ET at the Georgia Dome.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Green Bay Packers +4
Atlanta Falcons -4
Over/Under 59.5
Odds Analysis
There has already been plenty of movement on the line and we’ll likely see more heading into the week. The line opened at Atlanta -6 but was quickly wagered to -4 and some feel that may be too high. When the teams met in Week 8, Atlanta eked out a 33-32 win as a 3-point favorite. The Packers were without several key performers in that contest and still covered. The over/under has been adjusted after that slugfest and opened as the highest ever for a championship game at 60. It has since been wagered down a half-point, but well within reach for two teams that can put up points.
Injury Report
Morgan Burnett – The Packers lost their starting safety to a leg injury in the first quarter when he collided with a teammate while breaking up a Dallas pass play. The severity of the injury is unknown and the loss of Burnett would further hinder the Packers’ secondary, which is already playing shorthanded. That would leave plenty of holes for Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense.
Adrian Clayborn – Atlanta will attempt to pressure Rodgers without the help of Clayborn, who exited last game with a torn biceps. Clayborn is a big part of the Falcons pass rush as the linemen rotate throughout games to stay fresh. Clayborn registered five sacks during the regular season.
Matchup to Watch
The Falcons shredded the Seahawks defense and the Packers outscored the Cowboys to set up what should be a wild NFC Championship Game. Both teams are humming offensively with quarterbacks who are on the short list of league MVP candidates. Ryan shook off his playoff demons with a spectacular effort against Seattle. He threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns against the Seahawks and made them look like the Saints by scoring all 36 points after the first quarter. Atlanta had one of the top offenses during the regular year and the Falcons continued their onslaught in the Divisional Round.
Rodgers knew he would have to put up points to beat the Cowboys and that’s exactly what he and the Packers did on Sunday. He did throw an interception, his first since Week 10 of the regular season, but directed the offense with precision. When these teams met in Week 8, the Falcons pulled out the 33-32 victory and Green Bay was without several key players. Randall Cobb, Ty Montgomery and Jared Cook were missing from the offense with Clay Matthews and Damarious Randall absent from the defense. We could have a different outcome this time.
Free ATS Pick
We could have a track meet with two teams that can put up points in a hurry. And it doesn’t help either side that their defense is still suspect. It’s hard to go against Rodgers and he’s proving why he’s the best in the game during this incredible Packers run. I thought Green Bay would have issues at Dallas without Jordy Nelson, but Rodgers methodically moved the team and the defense did just enough.
Playing on the road didn’t faze Green Bay last week and with their veteran leadership, it won’t be a concern this time. The Packers used their weapons against Dallas and reached the 30-point mark for a sixth straight game. The Falcons have played better defensively and they frustrated Seattle with relentless pressure. The offense will do its part, but Rodgers has a better line to work behind and he’ll reach into his bag of tricks to come up some big plays to send the Pack to Houston for Super Bowl LI.
NFL Odds: Packers 37, Falcons 33
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