Sure, the NFC doesn’t have the brutal divisional tussles of the AFC in the Divisional playoff round, but there’s still plenty to be intrigued with here.
The Packers and Falcons play again in Atlanta, where last time Tony Gonzalez may have dropped a pass that was ruled a TD, but in the end it really wasn’t the overarching reason they won, ultimately on a late field goal, 20-17.
Last week I said that only if we were still talking about the Seahawks this week, would we be interested in them? Since Saturday, it’s fair to say we have certainly become interested, although the better word is probably flummoxed. And I think that first-round bye just made people all the more unsure about the Chicago Bears, The Great Mystery of the NFL.
Unlike the established feuds and big names of the AFC, there’s still a lot to be figured out as the playoffs whittle away at the NFC totem pole. These games will separate a few more concrete answers from the many lingering questions in this conference, giving us a clearer indication as to what has been real or fake this year.
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
- Packers-Falcons Date, Time, and TV: Saturday, January 15th at 8:00 on FOX
- Packers-Falcons Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
- Packers-Falcons Point Spread: Falcons -2
- Packers-Falcons Over-Under Odds: 45.5
Green Bay Packers (11-6)
How they got here: Shut the door on Michael Vick at just about the last possible moment. Found a useful running game at a rather opportune time. Aaron Rodgers. If the defense was a drunken sailor, he swayed but never fell. Oh, and those David Akers shanks didn’t hurt, either.
Photo by David Bergman/SI
Player who could have biggest impact (positively): James Starks. I mean, come on. I don’t remember a running game that effective since Ahman Green and his sweat-sapping forearm pads were busting through the line. If Starks can provide something like that again in Atlanta, life gets easier for everyone on the Green Bay side.
Player who could have biggest impact (negatively): Anyone with hands who intends to catch passes. There are a lot of kinds of plays in football that, as a fan, can make you want to crawl inside a whiskey bottle and never come out. The 44-yard touchdown run followed by, “but there’s a flag near the line of scrimmage,” the red zone turnover, there’s plenty of classics; but the perfectly thrown pass that would’ve either resulted in a critical first down or maybe even touchdown that is just flat out dropped can bring you from momentary elation to utter stupification and despair. Let’s try and not do that anymore, okay?
Unsubstantiated, completely untrue, statement: Outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene calls NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell every Tuesday and Wednesday night, sometime after midnight, and in a voicemail demands to be given player/coach status. Goodell has yet to return his call.
Honest expectation, modified because of last week’s win: Bring out that newfangled running game again, stifle Michael Turner and the Packers should be able to play with Atlanta. Avoid dumb penalties, special teams blunders, oh, and getting off to a fast start wouldn’t hurt any. Christ, it’s like I’m sending my kid off to summer camp.
Atlanta Falcons (13-3)
How they got here: Won the NFC South rather comfortably while being the conference’s most consistent team throughout the regular season. Balanced; used to playing, and often times winning, close games. Don’t miss Michael Vick at all, nope, not one bit.
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Sports Illustrated
Player who could have biggest impact (positively): The pass rush. John Abraham was tied for fourth in the league with 13 sacks in the regular season, but the Falcons didn’t get too much pressure on Rodgers in their regular season meeting. Slowing down the Green Bay passing attack, and helping a suspect secondary, will start up front.
Player who could have biggest impact (negatively): Michael Turner. If he can’t get going and the Falcon offense turns pass-happy, the Packers will find it easier to send their wild-and-crazy blitzes. Needs to control this game.
Unsubstantiated, completely untrue, statement: Matt Ryan tried to produce and market a cheaply made, warm lemonade-tasting beer that came in 40-packs called “Matty Ice,” but the NFL prohibited any such actions. He still plans to launch the beer when his playing days are over.
Honest expectation: Atlanta will likely not beat itself. They will play smart and deliberate, hope for a few big plays here and there, and wait for Green Bay mistakes.  In the NFC this year, this could very well be good enough for a Super Bowl run.
Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears
- Seahawks-Bears Date, Time, and TV: Sunday, January 16th at 1:00 on FOX
- Seahawks-Bears Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa
- Seahawks-Bears Point Spread: Bears -10
- Seahawks-Bears Over-Under Odds: 40
Seattle Seahawks (8-9)
How they got here: We all know how they got here. At the same time, we have no idea. One more win ’til .500!
Photo by Rod Mar/The Seattle Times
Player who could have biggest impact (positively): Matt Hasselbeck. I didn’t expect last week to happen concerning Matt Hasselbeck. His lone interception wasn’t even really his fault; basically, he played close to flawless. This week in Chicago, he’ll be facing a defense that is more than just a defense in name only, but another strong showing like last Saturday’s actually makes this offense rather dangerous. If, of course…
Player who could have biggest impact (negatively): The running game. …backs Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett, who, don’t forget, made up the second worst unit in terms of rush yards per game in the regular season, can provide some balance. Without Lynch’s unforgettable 67-yard leisurely stroll, Seattle gained 83 rushing yards. If Lynch has more runs like that in his repertoire though, who cares?
Unsubstantiated, completely untrue, statement: This is how they had it planned all along.
Honest expectation, modified because of last week’s win: You know, if the offense can hit on a few big plays like they did last weekend…God, I dunno, can they? Their Wildcard win shattered any semblance of expectations I once had.
Chicago Bears (11-5)
How they got here: Won all the NFC North games that actually mattered to them. Forced many turnovers. Jay Cutler wasn’t super terrible. Did not let you run very much on them. Some would say they were a bit lucky from time to time; but hey, those wins count too.
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Player who could have biggest impact (positively): Devin Hester. Seattle kicked to him in their Week 6 win, and Hester returned a punt for a touchdown. Pete Carroll plans on kicking to him on Sunday. I don’t know, this one just seems to be set up for some kind of disaster. Big play, of course, for you Chicago fans.
Player who could have biggest impact (negatively): Jay Cutler. He hasn’t had many truly ridiculous games this year like he did last, but his interception frenzies so completely destroy his team that in a playoff game, it’s always good to remember the chance is lurking there somewhere in his itchy trigger finger.
Unsubstantiated, completely untrue, statement: Julius Peppers would be much happier as a forward playing steady minutes in somebody’s rotation in the NBA. He should consider this.
Honest expectation: Even if you’re not sure how the Bears are here, they’re here. A ball-hawking defense and opportunistic special teams always give them a threatening feel; if Cutler is on, a Super Bowl certainly isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Let’s do this.
Email: griffingotta@gmail.com
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