The bettors at the bookmaker were right on Saturday as they backed the Green Bay Packers against the Atlanta Falcons. The Packers not only won in Atlanta, they routed the Falcons behind a brilliant performance from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Gamblers at the bookie were definitely happy as they loved the Packers.
48-21 Rout
The Falcons were the top seed in the NFC but they looked nothing like the best team in the conference. The Falcons couldn’t even slow down Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense. Rodgers carved up the Atlanta defense like a Thanksgiving Day turkey. Rodgers threw for three TDs and ran for another one in the big win. Rodgers threw for 366 yards as he completed 31 of 36 passes. He threw for more yards than Brett Favre ever did in the playoffs while with the Packers. The Falcons were in the game early but the entire feel of the game changed just before the half when Atlanta was driving for a score trailing 21-14. With just 10 seconds left in the half, quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked which pushed the Falcons just out of field goal range. Ryan then made a huge mistake and his pass was intercepted by Green Bay’s Tramon Williams who took it 70 yards for a TD. Instead of being down 7 points, the Falcons were down 14 and the game and the result vs. the odds at the bookie were over. Ryan played poorly for the Falcons and he is now 0-2 in the playoffs with six turnovers.
Rogers Brilliance
Aaron Rodgers had the second-highest completion percentage for a quarterback who threw for over 300 yards in NFL playoff history. Only Kurt Warner in 2009 for the Cardinals had a higher completion percentage. The Falcons had no answer for Rodgers who led Atlanta on four drives of at least 80 yards. Rogers continually moved around the pocket and made play after play against an overmatched Atlanta defense. Bookmaker statistics at the Sbg sportsbook indicate that the Packers 48 points were the second most ever by a road team in NFL playoff history. The Packers will now be a popular choice this weekend in the NFC Championship game as they look to reach the Super Bowl.