Okay, let’s move past the obvious har-har headline and just get to the point.
This is Aaron Rodgers. Suck on my fucking nuts, Colin Cowherd!
Hahahahahaha!
The Green Bay Packers rolled into Atlanta with all the expectations and in a game you’d think they’d lay an egg because they believed their own hype, they flat-out thrashed the NFC’s No. 1 seed, Atlanta Falcons, 48-21.
After the Packers Achilles’ heal, their special teams, broke down early, allowing a 102-yard kickoff return to Pro Bowler Eric Weems, the Packers took complete control of the game.
Rodgers dissected the Falcons defense to the tune of 31-of-36 for 366 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions. He ran for another score.
The always inconsistent James Jones had a monster game, coming up with big catch after big catch and tallying four receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown.
In fact, the Packers’ receiving corp was solid all around. Jordy Nelson (79 yards, one touchdown) and Donald Driver (76 yards) both had several big first-down receptions. Despite an early fumble, Greg Jennings recovered for a solid game, recording eight receptions for 101 yards.
The Packers had just enough of a running game from rookie James Starks to keep Atlanta honest. Starks finished with 25 carries for 66 yards, but the most impressive thing about Starks is his ability to get the extra yard after contact, which is something the Packers have lacked since losing Ryan Grant.
Mr. Matty Ice, Matt Ryan, nearly unbeatable at home, was pedestrian. That’s right — pedestrian.
Ryan threw two picks, both to Tramon Williams, and fumbled in the fourth quarter. Matty fuckin’ Ice…
Williams, meanwhile, has served notice on the remaining playoff teams.
I guess they’ll have to try and throw on Charles Woodson.
Speaking of, Woodson created havoc as a blitzer, and in addition to recording a sack of his own, helped Clay Matthews record two.
The bottom line is this.
The better team won, Saturday.
The Packers dominated the time of possession, which is usually the Falcons dominion. The Packers held the ball for 38:19, more than 15 minutes longer than the Falcons. They also amassed 442 yards to Atlanta’s 194, while rolling up a team-record postseason point total.
The Packers offense was so dominant, punter Tim Masthay didn’t even make an appearance.
Although their special teams are still a weakness, the Packers defense is playing at a championship level. And next to Tom Brady, there’s not a quarterback left in the playoffs who can dissect a defense as precisely as Rodgers.
I’d hate to be the Chicago Bears, right now.