Revisiting the top Falcons-Packers Week 8 matchups

The Atlanta Falcons pulled one from the fire in Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a 33-32 win.

Let’s revisit the top matchups from the game and see how the Falcons fared.

Aaron Rodgers versus the middle of the field

The Falcons really had no answer at times for Rodgers (in the first half at least), who looked more like his old self Sunday than he did at any point this season. He completed 28 passes — a week after completing a franchise-high 39 — and tossed four touchdowns. Rodgers also ran six time for a career-high 60 yards.

However, Packers running backs only caught three balls for three yards — a far cry from Melvin Gordon’s six catches for 53 yards in Week 7.

Julio Jones versus the Packers secondary

On paper, it looked like Jones would eviscerate a Packers secondary that was without its top three cornerbacks, but the wide receiver was slowed early in the game with an apparent knee injury. He finished with three receptions for 29 yards, but he was tremendously effective even as a decoy, made evident on Mohamed Sanu’s game-winning 11-yard touchdown. Jones was doubled on nearly every play he was in the game.

Devonta Freeman versus the Green Bay front seven

Freeman totaled 58 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground and through the air. He was largely held in check on the ground by Green Bay’s stout rushing defense as he finished with 35 yards on 11 attempts. Terron Ward led the way with 46 yards and Matt Ryan added 9.