The X-Factor: Packers safety Morgan Burnett

Packers safety/linebacker Morgan Burnett, who played at Georgia Tech and North Clayton High, is a key player.

He’ll be the X-factor when the Packers (1-0) face the Falcons (1-0) 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“He’s important to the operation, but it’s more important for the number of positions that he can play for us,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “Morgan is a leader. He’s one of the established leaders on the football team. On defense, he’s an excellent communicator. He knows the defense in and out.”

Burnett will play near the line of scrimmage like a linebacker.

“He’s been giving us a lot of flexibility because we are able to move him around and have him play different positions,” McCarthy said.

He looks at home as hybrid linebacker.

“He plays down in the box in the dime,” Quinn said. “I’m not surprised because he’s a physical safety. They put him down to play the linebacker spot, and he can totally handle the in-the-box stuff.”