Houston, here they come: Falcons 44, Packers 21 (final)

Hello. Mark Bradley here. Full disclosure: When last I did a live blog from an NFC championship game, the Atlanta Falcons surged to a 17-0 lead. The remainder of the game went less well. Maybe you remember. But, as they say in mutual funds, past performance isn't a guarantee of future results.

I'm thinking the Falcons win today. I've picked the score -- 33-32 -- and if that sounds familiar ... well, it should. That was the score when the Birds met Green Bay on Oct. 30. ( Birds winning , you'll recall.)

We're nearing noon at the doomed Dome, and there's not much happening yet. I plan to stick around for the game, and I'd invite your comments as the afternoon progresses. Again, I can't promise a better result. But I do like this team. And I thank you, as ever, in advance.