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3 keys to victory for Green Bay Packers over Atlanta Falcons

By Brian Sampson

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 23: Cornerback Kevin King #20 of the Green Bay Packers and teammates celebrate after his interception in the third quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 23: Cornerback Kevin King #20 of the Green Bay Packers and teammates celebrate after his interception in the third quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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Matt Ryan vs Green Bay Packers
GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 08: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to pass against the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter at Lambeau Field on December 8, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

3. Get after Matt Ryan

The Falcons’ offense has been explosive this season, ranking 6th in points scored and 7th in total yards. They’ve done all of this without getting much help from their running game which means a lot of the pressure has fallen on the shoulders of Matt Ryan and the passing game.

Ryan has some elite targets to throw to in Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones. Even if Jones doesn’t play, Ridley has proven himself capable of carrying the load. Despite Green Bay’s shaky run defense, the Falcons will try their hardest to do most of their damage through the air.

It’s up to Green Bay’s front seven to disrupt Ryan in the pocket. The Packers have struggled getting after the quarterback so far, pressuring them on only 16.7 percent of their dropbacks–tied for 29th in the NFL. On the other end of the spectrum, Atlanta has done a terrific job protecting Rya. The Packers can’t allow him to get comfortable back there and pick apart their secondary. They have all the tools to get after the quarterback, now they must put them together.

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