Matchup: Packers' run offense vs. Falcons' run defense
About the Packers' run offense: Green Bay has searched for a reliable rushing attack since Ryan Grant was injured in September. The Packers claimed Dimitri Nance off the Falcons' practice squad to provide some depth. Brandon Jackson carried most of the load during the season, but James Starks, a seldom-used rookie, splashed on to the scene with 123 yards rushing against Philadelphia on Sunday. The Packers averaged 100.4 yards rushing per game, which was 24th in the NFL. Against the Falcons in the regular season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the Packers' leading rusher as he ran 12 times for 51 yards.
About the Falcons' run defense: The Falcons allowed 105.9 yards rushing per game in the regular season, which ranks 10th in the league. The middle of the run defense is anchored by defensive tackles Corey Peters and Jonathan Babineaux and linebacker Curtis Lofton. Teams have had some success powering the ball at end Kroy Biermann, who's a little light at 255 pounds. Other teams have tried to beat the fast and agile unit with misdirection plays and wide-receiver reverses. Early in the season they allowed some big runs. Also, the Falcons must be ready for Green Bay's inverted wishbone in power running situations.
Analysis by Falcons coach Mike Smith: "We are going to have to control the line of scrimmage on the defensive side of the ball. It's going to be imperative that our defensive linemen win their one-on-one battles. I thought the Packers did a great job in the game on Sunday running the football. I think they found a back that looks like he's fresh in Starks. ... It's going to be important that we take good angles. He had a 27-yard run in the ball game that he busted. We have to tackle well."
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