The NFL playoffs continue on with the divisional round. All four road teams won last week, and that was sure to upset the Vegas odds-makers dearly. This week they are out for revenge, but don't fear, our team of "experts" has been beating the spread the whole year. Now we will look at Saturday's second matchup, the Green Bay Packers versus the Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons -2.5 vs. Green Bay Packers
Somehow, even after cruising to a 13-3 record and the number one seed in the NFC, the Atlanta Falcons continue to get overlooked. Virtually no one has been talking about them over the past few weeks, despite the fact that the Falcons are the only team in the NFL this year to possess a top-five ranked defense and a top-five ranked offense.
On the flip side, almost everyone has been talking about the Green Bay Packers. They seem to have been on the receiving end of the most hype any number six seed in the NFC has had in recent memory.
It's strange to think about, especially considering the fact that the Packers have essentially already had three playoff games (if you remember, Green Bay had to win their last two games to even lay claim to the six seed).
Yet, isn't that what the NFL playoffs is always about... every single year? The regular season doesn't matter. It's all about a team fighting through adversity, hitting their stride, and peaking at the right time.
Doesn't that sound exactly like the Packers? As good as Matt Ryan is, at this point it's hard to doubt Aaron Rodgers (and that monster that is Clay Matthews) in a game of this magnitude. The Pack look focused and hungry, and it will show on Saturday.
Prediction: Green Bay Packers 31, Atlanta Falcons 27. Green Bay edges out a close victory on the heels of a tremendous performance from Aaron Rodgers.