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Advantages
ATL: QB, RB, DB
GB: WR, OL, DL, LB, ST, Coach

This game is worth watching to compare two young franchise quarterbacks that are expected to be the cornerstones of their respective teams. QB Matt Ryan is being counted on to resurrect the struggling Falcons while QB Aaron Rodgers is expected to keep the Packers at, or near, the top of the NFC North. Both teams are 2-2 and hope to rebound after losing last weekend by featuring their hard-running ball carriers that fight for every yard they get.

When Atlanta has the ball

Atlanta head coach Mike Smith wants to establish the run and throw the ball, when least expected. His offensive coordinator, Mike Mularkey, is an excellent play caller and does a great job of putting Ryan in a position to succeed. Ryan has found relative success at home, but has struggled when playing away and needs to take what the offense gives him rather than trying to force the ball. He is completing 52.4 percent of his passes, but has struggled to put the ball in the end zone. Part of the issue has been his receivers dropping passes, so he needs to find someone that he feels confident about throwing the ball to. Expect Mularkey to start off with short passes, but Ryan has looked comfortable running the no-huddle offense for a series, or two. But those where scripted and you can only script so many series for a particular game. The Falcons have the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL, so we can expect heavy doses of RBs Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood, especially early on. The Falcons are a zone-blocking team and they are massive up front -- but not terribly athletic. They will try to wear the Packers down with the straight-ahead, slashing style of Turner and Norwood's speed to the edge.

Green Bay defensive coordinator Bob Sanders will ask his two corners to man up on the Falcons' receivers, even though he is without injured CB Al Harris. Ryan should have some success going at Harris' replacement, Tramon Williams, especially if he can get a size mismatch on him with Brian Finneran or Michael Jenkins. Plus, he will ask his front four to provide most of the pass rush because he does not like to bring a heavy blitz package. The Packers do a great job of forcing teams to run laterally by clogging up the middle with DTs Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly, but don't be surprised to see Sanders slide an extra defender in the box to contain Turner and Norwood.


When Green Bay has the ball

Green Bay's ground game has been inconsistent this year. But head coach Mike McCarthy is apt to stick with it longer this week because the Falcons' run defense is ranked No. 23 in the NFL. The Packers are a finesse running team and haven't done a good job of getting a push up front to create good run lanes for RB Ryan Grant. However, the biggest question will be the health of Rodgers, who injured his shoulder late in last week's game. If Rodgers misses this game, expect the passing game to come from short, three-step drops going to receivers running short routes or checkdown passes to the running backs.

Atlanta will probably stick with its base four-man front hoping to give a lot of attention to stopping the run. If the Falcons can force the Packers to throw more than they want to, DE John Abraham should be able pressure the quarterback. The heavier defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder can load up the backend with zone coverages, the more difficult it will be for the Packers' quarterback to find passing lanes.

Matchup to watch

Atlanta RB Michael Turner vs. Green Bay MLB Nick Barnett
Barnett is the Packers' second leading tackler behind A.J. Hawk, who may miss the game with a strained groin muscle. Barnett is an extremely active linebacker that has excellent range and a good nose for the ball, but he needs to be protected by the defensive line. Turner is leading the NFL with 422 yards and an excellent 5.5 yards per carry average, good enough for fifth in the league. Barnett needs to stay clean and mirror Turner all over the field as the Packers concentrate on stopping the run. Turner is not only elusive in the open field, but has enough power and strength to break tackles. He is the type that seems to get stronger as the game wears on.

Keys to Success - ATL

1. Run the ball: The Falcons are averaging 5.6 yards per carry on the ground. Against the Buccaneers and the Panthers they faced a lot of eight men in the box and struggled to run the ball on a consistent basis. Atlanta can expect to see more of the same as teams are thinking the best chance to stifle Atlanta's offense is to stop the run. Smith will continue to feed Turner and Norwood because he wants to control the clock and the ball with a conservative ball control offense. Look for them to try and wear down the Packers with their offensive tackles, while running off tackle.

2. Attack the secondary deep: With Harris out and both safeties questionable, it would be smart to challenge the middle of the field with speedy WR Roddy White. Ryan has looked sharp, even though the results haven't always been the best, and his receivers have dropped too many passes -- but all it takes is one big play to gain confidence and loosen things up in the secondary.

3. Pressure with four: The Falcons need to find a way to get pressure on the quarterback. Abraham is their lone pass-rushing threat and he has started the season well, but he needs help. He leads the NFL with six sacks but DT Jonathan Babineaux is the only other Falcon with a sack. More stunts and twists on the defensive line could help to pressure the pocket.

Keys to Success - GB

1. Give it to Grant: Grant has seen his numbers drop as the season has progressed. Granted, a hamstring injury hasn't helped, but he was supposed to be close to 100 percent last week, yet gained just 20 yards. With the uncertainty of the quarterback position, the Packers need to establish the run to take pressure off the passing game. Other than DT Grady Jackson, the Falcons are not very big up front, so we expect the Packers to attack the edges with off-tackle runs. With opponents gaining an average of 4.6 yards per carry the Falcons appear to be succeptable to the run.

2. Convert in the red zone: The Packers have converted only one attempt in three tries during the past two games from within the red zone. Defenses can tighten things up once they get in the red zone and it becomes more difficult to throw the ball in a shortened field. The Packers' offense is not built for a power running game, so they need to be more efficient passing the ball near the goal line. Look for TE Donald Lee to be more involved in the red zone because he is an excellent target who catches the ball well in traffic.

3. Control the line of scrimmage: The Packers are giving up 5.2 yards per carry to their opponents and the Falcons are leading the league with 181 yards a game as well as 5.6 yards per carry. Sanders must bring a run-blitz package, so his defensive front can stop the run before they gain any momentum. If the Falcons are able to run the ball early, they can get on a roll and control the clock as well as the tempo of the game.

Scouts Edge

The Packers can't afford to look past this home game. Home field advantage is huge due to the crowd at Lambeau Field. With the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position, the Packers will focus on their ground game. Whichever team wins the battles up front is apt to come away with the win. Green Bay looks stronger up front on both sides of the ball. The Falcons should be able to move the ball, especially on the ground, the Packers should win this game thanks to a superior defense.

Atlanta 21
Green Bay 24