Falcons Week 12 Recap and Top 5 in the NFC

The Falcons found themselves fighting for home field advantage in the NFC with a HUGE game against the Green Bay Packers. A win against the Packers and the Falcons would be in the drivers seat for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. As most of you know Matt Ryan is 19-1 at home as a starter and the Falcons have rarely lost at home over the last 3 years. Thus making Sundays game a HUGE one.

Quarterbacks: A

• Matt Ryan was 24/28 for 197 yards and a score. If I'm not mistaken he was 14-14 in the 2nd half. That is 4 games in a row the Falcon offense has not turned the ball over. Ryan is completing 65% of his passes with 19 TD's to only 5 INT's. Against a Packers defense that leads the league in points against Ryan moved the Falcons up and down the field. Would be an A+ but we only scored 20 points.

Running Backs: A

• Another Ho Hum day for Michael Turner. 23 rushes for 110 yards and a score. Sometimes Turner bothers me by the way he doesn't seem to hit the hole hard but I have to say that it is amazing how he ALWAYS seems to fall forward after the first hit. "I didn't like the way we tackled, but I knew coming in that (Turner) was going to be a challenge. He's so strong." - Packers DC Dom Capers

Wide Receivers: B

• Tony Gonzalez had a couple nice grabs as did Roddy White. A solid performance across the board but would have liked to see a few more shots deep. Not necessarily the WR's fault but overall a good game.

Defense: A+

• The Packers have one of the best offenses in the league and to hold them to only 17 points while turning them over at critical times is incredible. The play on the goal line against Rodgers as he was trying to sneak was one of the biggest plays this Falcons defense has made in years. As much as the bend but don't break motto bothers me its very true with these Falcons. Between the 20's the Falcons will allow you to move the ball but once you get inside their 20 they really stiffen up. 

Bro Nameth's Power 5 of the NFC

1. Atlanta Falcons: 9-2
2. NY Giants: 7-4
3. Chicago Bears: 8-3
4. Philadelphia Eagles: 7-4
5. NO Saints: 8-3

To not have the Falcons #1 is just dumb. Skip Clueless tried to say that the Falcons haven't beaten anyone of any value at home. I'm sorry, I didn't know the Ravens, Bucs and Packers weren't good. The 2 losses the Falcons have are against the Steelers and Eagles. Now the Steelers game was without Roethlisberger but the Steelers D is still the Steelers D. The game against the Eagles was bad I will give you that but they are still  very good team. The Falcons have also beat the Saints on the road. With 2 games left against the Panthers I would have to think that the Falcons have the clear cut advantage in the race for Home field Advantage.