Packers, Falcons set for NFL battle
Jan 21, 2017 - 9:17 PM The Georgia Dome's final game could fittingly be an explosive one with the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers poised to blow the roof off when the NFL's most potent offences clash for a berth in the Super Bowl.With Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers leading supercharged offences against leaky defences, Las Vegas bookmakers have set a record high over-under - or the total combined points scored -- for a playoff contest at 60 points.
When they met in the regular season Atlanta won 33-32 after Ryan tossed a last-minute touchdown and many expect more fireworks in Sunday's (Monday AEDT) NFC Championship.
"Both teams, from when we played before, are a better version of what they were at that time," said Atlanta coach Dan Quinn.
"There have been a number of times (against the Packers) where it has totally come right down to the finish. These kinds of games usually do."
The Georgia Dome, which will be demolished later this year, has not always been home sweet home for the Falcons who have won more games on the road during the regular season.
But Atlanta will take any perceived advantage they can going against the surging Packers.
After a mid-season wobble the Packers have run the table as Rodgers predicted, averaging 30.8 points per game over the home stretch before impressive playoff wins over the New York Giants and top-seeded Dallas Cowboys.
Both Rodgers and Ryan will attack creaky defences that were buried near the bottom of the league rankings.
Ryan, whose 38 touchdown passes this season trailed only the 40 thrown by Rodgers, will try to exploit a depleted Packers secondary with the help of Julio Jones, who finished second in receiving yards but has been slowed by a sore foot.
Rodgers is likely to be without his favourite target Jordy Nelson, who led the league in touchdowns with 14 but missed the division playoffs with damaged ribs.
Even without Nelson, Rodgers will have no shortage of weapons in speedy Randall Cobb, Ty Montgomery, Davante Adams and Jared Cook, who made a spectacular sideline catch to setup Green Bay's winning field goal against Dallas.
Source: AAP
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