SB Nation Atlanta - Falcons Win 20-17, Clinch Third-Straight Winning Season

Matt Ryan Continues Historic Success Rate At Home

2010-11-30T00:26:46Z

With their 20-17 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons clinched their third straight winning season. Not coincidentally, Matt Ryan and Mike Smith entered the picture three years ago. Over that same time span, Ryan has been nearly perfect at home, compiling a remarkable 19-1 (.950) record in games played at the Georgia Dome, tying Danny White for the best winning percentage in a player’s first 20 starts at home among QBs who began their careers in the Super Bowl era (since 1966).

Let's take a look at the list.

PLAYER	TEAM	WINS	LOSSES	WIN PCT.
Matt Ryan	Atlanta Falcons	19	1	.950
Danny White	Dallas	19	1	.950
Marc Bulger	St. Louis	18	2	.900
Dan Marino	Miami	18	2	.900
Kyle Orton	Chicago/Denver	18	2	.900
Philip Rivers	San Diego	18	2	.900
Kurt Warner	St. Louis	18	2	.900

Green Bay Packers Vs. Atlanta Falcons Recap: Falcons Win Fifth Straight After 20-17 Victory

2010-11-29T05:26:26Z

With the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints winning on Thanksgiving Day, the pressure was on the Atlanta Falcons to maintain their slim lead in the NFC South. Against Green Bay on Sunday, they did just that; beating the Packers on a last-second field goal, 20-17, to improve to 9-2.

Matt Ryan completed 24 of 28 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown. He was efficient working underneath as the Packers did not let the Falcons’ receivers go deep. Michael Turner was his usual dominant self gaining 110 yards on 23 carries and scoring on a fourth-and-goal from the one. Roddy White was held to five catches for only 49 yards but Tony Gonzalez picked up the slack with a touchdown and six catches.

The Packers outgained the Falcons, 418 to 294 but it was an Aaron Rodgers’ turnover at the goalline that proved to be the difference in this one. The Packers, tied at three, drove to the one-yard line and appeared in control of the game when Rodgers attempted a quarterback sneak. The ball was knocked loose and Mike Peterson recovered. It was Rodgers’ first fumble all season. The Falcons capitalized with a 14-play, 80-yard drive to go ahead 10-3. They would never relinquish the lead.

The Falcons have now won five straight games, are undefeated at home (6-0) and have the best record in the NFL. That’s the good news. The bad news is they still have to play the Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the next four weeks and they start a three-game road trip next week in Tampa Bay.

Even at 9-2, the Falcons can’t let up. They’ll likely need to finish with 12 wins to win the division and clinch homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. This is crucial for the Falcons since their 3-2 road record doesn’t instill a lot of confidence. The Falcons have enjoyed four of their last five games in the Georgia Dome but the next three weeks will be their biggest test. Can they continue their high-level of play on the road?

Packers Vs. Falcons Fantasy Football Update: Michael Turner And Aaron Rodgers Shine In NFC Showdown

2010-11-28T21:05:13Z

Behind the solid running of Michael Turner, the Atlanta Falcons beat the Green Bay Packers, 20-17. Turner carried 23 times for 110 yards and one touchdown. This is the sixth 100-yard game this season for Turner and the fourth time in the last five games that he’s reached that plateau. He’s officially healthy and returning to his 2008 form.

In a losing effort, Aaron Rodgers delivered a winning fantasy performance for his owners. He threw for 344 yards on 26 of 35 passing and added 51 yards on 12 carries and one rushing touchdown.

Greg Jennings, our start of the week, finished with five catches for 119 yards but did not get into the endzone. Our sit of the week, Brandon Jackson, finished with 10 carries for 26 yards. You’re welcome.

Jordy Nelson added 61 yards and one touchdown for the Packers while Tony Gonzalez (six catches for 51 yards and one touchdown) and Matt Ryan (198 yards passing and one touchdown) also had nice fantasy days for the Falcons.

Packers-Falcons Score Update: Dunta Robinson Stands As An Observer To Give Aaron Rodgers Touchdown

2010-11-28T20:44:56Z

I’m not sure quite what to say. Did I expect this to happen? I’d have to say yes. The Falcons defense is notoriously horrendous in pass defense and it kiled the team for the three-thousand and fifty seventh time for the season. Aaron Rodgers had all the time in the world and was able to find Jordan Nelson for the touchdown reception to tie the game up at 17 a piece.

With 49 seconds left on the clock the Falcons get the ball on the fifty yard line and have a chance to win the game, but is it the first time the team can’t win a game in the last 2 minutes?

Matt Ryan has been very good in the last two minutes throughout his career as his nickname Matty Ice is an extension of that. It would seem the Falcons need about a 45 yard field goal to give them a chance to win the game.

Packers-Falcons Injury Update: Jason Snelling Down Return Is Questionable

2010-11-28T20:27:16Z

Jason Snelling went down on Sunday and it appears his questionable is return. He was much needed on that last offensive drive for the Falcons as they couldn’t complete a crucial 3rd down.

The defense now has this game to lose (or win depending on your perspective). Rodgers has been brilliant all day long and is a fantasy stud. It’ll be a frustrating ride to the end of the game with 7 minutes 30 left on the clock, plenty of time for the Packers to get that game tying touchdown.

John Abraham and the front-four have to step up and get pressure on the Packers All-Pro QB and the secondary has to shutdown the receivers.

So far it appears that the likes of Brent Grimes, Thomas Decoud and William Moore have been able to limit some of the deeper throws, but they have to rap up the ball-carrier and limit their yards after the catch.

Aaron Rodgers maneuvarability has killed the Falcons at time and he's been the Packers leading rusher.

Packers-Falcons Score Update: Michael Turner Legs Of Steel Run For Touchdown

2010-11-28T20:13:21Z

What a drive, a needed one at that. The Falcons after giving up a touchdown marched down the field and gave one back to the Pakcers as Turner punched it in for the 1-yard score.

A controversial ruling on the field had Tony Gonzalez not catching the touchdown (inconclusive evidence was the rule). It didn’t matter as the Falcons went for it on 4th and Goal.

Matt Ryan was efficient on the drive making the necessary throws to pick up the first downs. As well the receivers did a good job of getting separation to help him. They need to keep it up if we are to win the game.

Another methodical drive had the Falcons chew up a bunch of clock. As we head into the fourth quarter it’ll be another nail-bitting finish as we all know that Green Bay is a high powered offense. The defense cannot afford to go into their prevent defense it was something they did against the Ravens and it cost them dearly let’s see if it happens again.

Packers Vs. Falcons Fantasy Football Update: Aaron Rodgers Having Great Game

2010-11-28T19:55:40Z

After watching game film of the Atlanta Falcons all season, the Green Bay Packers knew they would be able to throw the ball against this secondary. What they didn’t know is they would be able to run against as well. As long as it’s with Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has been leading the way with 200 yards through the air on 14-for-17 passing and has added 34 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He would have had another rushing touchdown but he fumbled at the goalline.

With the game tied and the Packers running backs unable to gain ground against the Falcons’ front four, Rodgers will continue to be a crucial part of the Packers offense. To put it into perspective, Rodgers leads the Packers with 34 yards rushing. The second-leading rusher is former Falcons practice squader, Dmitri Nance with one carry for zero yards.

Until the Falcons figure out a way to stop Rodgers, his big fantasy day will surely get bigger.

Packers-Falcons Score Update: Atlanta Gives Up Their Usual 3rd Quarter Touchdown, 10-10

2010-11-28T19:52:20Z

Big chunks of yards is the utter definition of what the Atlanta Falcons defense gives up. On the last Packers drive Aaron Rodgers picked and chose who and what he wanted as he ran in for what was an obvious draw play.

It’s probably safe to say that Green Bay “deserved” a touchdown as they have looked just as good on offense as Atlanta, but that’s not how the NFL works. If everything was “fair and equal” we’d see a lot more clarity.

But enough of that. Atlanta needs to make sure they contain Aaron Rodgers. The Packers offense is Rodgers, the buck stops with him. Contain him and you can contain the entirety of that football team, it’s not always as simple as that but it seems sometimes the defense forgets about him.

Atlanta now has the ball and is looking to equalize, though they looked like a frozen caveman at 40 yard line last time.