Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers: To-Do Checklist For Week 8
Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers: To-Do Checklist For Week 8

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a touchdown pass to tight end Jacob Tamme (83) in the first quarter of their game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. What must the Falcons do to beat the Packers?

Standing at 4-3, the Atlanta Falcons face a critical point in their season. Back-to-back losses to the Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers has cooled off the hot start to the season for the Falcons and whether you want to swallow the pill, the Falcons are in must-win mode with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers coming to town.

As long as the presence of Rodgers, receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, plus outside linebacker Clay Matthews are around for the Packers, this is a contest that should not be overlooked or taken lightly. With that said, there are of course a few items that I will highlight that the Falcons must take care of in order to beat the Packers and improve to 5-3 on the season. Let’s take a look.

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Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) walks off of the field after the first half of their game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 29-18. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

4. Avoid Chunk Plays On Defense 

The Falcons defense hasn’t been all reliable this season as many of you are already aware of and the Falcons have given up the fourth most receiving plays of 20 or more yards this season with 26 as well as the most receiving first downs in the league with 109.

The assets on defense present a promising future but what has plagued the Falcons on the defensive side of the ball in recent seasons were the ability to literally allow huge plays especially in critical moments of the game such as third down and late in the contest.

Digging deep in the research provided by Football Outsiders, the Falcons have allowed an average of 52.0 and 56.6 yards to the opponents #1 and #2 receiver respectively. It’s against other wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs that have hurt the Falcons in the aspect of chunk plays via the pass. With Rodgers and his duo in Nelson and Cobb, the Falcons will focus their attention on those two prominent receivers and can match up in that department with the two athletic corners in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford,  but reserve receiver/running back Ty Montgomery has taken a bigger role in the offense because of the injuries to the unit and will be vital in the Packers plans of attacking the Falcons defense.

Sep 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) hands off to running back Devonta Freeman (24) in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

3. Feed Free 

I know that the Packers are ranked first overall in the league in the run department. Allowing only 71.8 yards per game on the ground will garner a lot of respect from teams and viewers.

What if I were to tell you that I’m not a great believer in their run defense?

What if I were to tell you that five of the Packers six opponents this season are ranked 24th or below in rushing offense. Which means that those particular offenses are not that stellar in the run element anyway.

    Which also means that I feel running back Devonta Freeman is more than capable of gashing the Packers run defense. Freeman has not posted a 100-yard contest since week three at New Orleans which seems like a lifetime to go and he only has two rushing touchdowns since then. However, he is averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season and will probably see a significant workload with the injury to Tevin Coleman likely to keep him sidelined. During the first seven contests in 2015, Freeman posted three games of at least 25 carries and averaged at worst 4.6 yards a carry in each of those three contests. The double-teams are starting to accumulate for receiver Julio Jones and one way to combat that easily is to let the third-year running back tote the rock.

    Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) celebrates his sack in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

    2. No Rhythm For Rodgers 

    We are all aware of how dangerous Aaron Rodgers can be, especially with proper protection and the chemistry that is established with Nelson and Cobb as well as receiver Devante Adams. The Packers offensive line have given up the fifth least amount of sacks with just 11 on the season and have played very well when it comes to protecting the franchise QB.

    Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn (99) celebrates a play in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

    The defensive line will have to be active in this contest and against a much improved Packers offensive line, that is a tall task. Sacks are always welcomed and wanted but keeping Rodgers out of his rhythm takes the simple things as well: Interior pressure, not letting him complete his drop-steps, and even mixing up the coverage at times with a some Cover 1 looks with jams from the corners. As solid as Rodgers is as a quarterback, he’s less of a threat when he doesn’t have a pocket to work with. Rodgers has three games this season where his completion percentage was under 60% and passed for five touchdowns, three interceptions, and sacked six times.

    Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) and quarterback Matt Ryan (2) celebrate the win over the Denver Broncos in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

    1. Finish 

    It’s simple.

    No more 4th quarters where the lead is squandered. Finish the job.

    The Falcons had a 24-17 lead over Seattle at the five minute mark of the fourth quarter, only to give up two late scores which led a loss in a key matchup. A 27-10 lead late in the second quarter against the Chargers evaporated after a 23-3 scoring run for San Diego in which they sealed the deal in overtime.

    For those who are consistent Falcons fans, I have no need to even bring up the amount of blown leads in 2015. Something that was a constant occurrence.

    The Falcons just need to close the deal. Playing veteran QBs such as Russell Wilson and Philip Rivers are days when you need to not shut the door on the opponent, but slam it. Against Green Bay, the Falcons needs to play for all four quarters and get the job done.

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