Falcons are set for rematch with Packers

If this game is anything like their first one, it should be entertaining. In their regular-season matchup --  a 20-17 Falcons victory on Nov. 28 --  Atlanta and Green Bay played to a near standoff.

Despite being outgained by 124 yards, the Falcons never trailed. The game was tied on three different occasions before the Falcons' special teams delivered the victory.

The Packers tied the game when quarterback Aaron Rodgers tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jordy Nelson with 56 seconds left.

Atlanta's Eric Weems returned the ensuing kickoff and was on his way to the end zone before Green Bay's Matt Wilhelm almost yanked off his facemask. The penalty put the ball at Green Bay's 49.

After four short pass completions, Matt Bryant made a 47-yard field goal with nine seconds left for the game-winner.

With the game tied 3-3 in the second quarter, the Packers was headed for a score when, on third-and-1 from Atlanta's 1, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton forced Rodgers to fumble. Falcons linebacker Mike Peterson recovered the fumble in the end zone.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had one of his better games against the Packers. He competed 24 of 28 passes for 197 yards and tossed one touchdown pass. His passer rating of 107.9 was his fifth best of the season.

The running game was strong with Michael Turner rushing for 110 yards on 23 carries and scoring a touchdown.

"The one thing about Green Bay and I know about Dom is that they are very disciplined," Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey said, referring to Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers. "They are complicated. They are very sound in what they do."

In one of the key matchups, Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews was held without a sack by right tackle Tyson Clabo.

"[Clabo] played well against him, but we gave him help," Mularkey said.

Since winning the NFC South, the Falcons' coaching staff spent time studying Green Bay, Seattle and New Orleans. Seattle eliminated New Orleans with a stunning 41-36 victory on Saturday.

The Falcons watched Green Bay's last seven games, including an impressive 31-27 loss to New England on Dec. 19. Running back James Starks' performance against San Francisco was something they didn't see before.

Rodgers was the Packers leading rusher in the last matchup with the Falcons. Starks rushed for more than 100 yards against the Eagles.

"They have been more effective running the ball late in the season," Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said.

The Packers had success spreading out the Falcons and passing the football. Rodgers completed 26 of 35 passes for 344 yards and a touchdown.

The Falcons had problems with wide receiver Greg Jennings, who caught five passes for 119 yards. He had plenty of support as four other receivers averaged more than 10 yards per catch.

"They like to horizontally spread the field and they have a quarterback that is very intelligent with a great arm," VanGorder said. "They try to stretch you out to create space and have him deliver the ball. It's just what they've done for years."

The Falcons' pass defense has improved steadily down the stretch. The defense recorded 12 sacks, had seven interceptions and gave up just 185.6 yards per game over the last five games.

However, those stats may be skewed by two games against Carolina and rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen. They had eight sacks and two interceptions in wins over the Panthers.

In the previous matchup, the Falcons' coverage teams also did an efficient job against the Packers. Atlanta's average drive-start was its 30-yard line. Green Bay's average was its 17-yard line.

"When you make a tackle inside the 20, that's big because most people can't take the ball the length of the field and score," Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong said. "That's critical when you look at special teams."