Friday, Jan. 20
Matt Ryan is the MVP this NFL season. No argument there. But Aaron Rodgers is the better quarterback. I'll go on record as saying I've never seen a quarterback with Rodgers' combination of accuracy, mobility, intelligence and ability to avoid turnovers.
But if this is Gunfight at the O.K. Corral then Ryan is coming loaded backed by Doc Holliday and the Earp brothers while Rodgers has a bunch of Barney Fife's alongside him.
The Falcons have one of the greatest offenses of all time. Ryan has a top-three wide receiver, Julio Jones, two outstanding running backs and several big-play other wide receivers, who also are dangerous on end runs and gadget plays.
What does Rodgers have? A converted wide receiver to be his main ball-carrier in Ty Montgomery, Randall Cobb, who has had a terrible season, tight end Jared Cook, who never has put together strong back-to-back games, and inexperienced Geronimo Allison - if he even plays - Jeff Janis and Trevor Davis. None of these three can be counted on to even run the right pass routes.
Rodgers' Doc Holliday, Jordy Nelson, is out with broken ribs and his second-best wide receiver, Davonte Adams, isn't likely to play either because of an ankle injury.
The Packers also have a beat-up secondary. Such is Rodgers' reputation, though, that the Falcons are less than a touchdown favorite. Rodgers is going to have win this game because his defense sure isn't capable. However, the deck is stacked totally against him.
If Rodgers somehow manages to pull this upset - given what's left of his supporting cast - I don't ever want to hear another talking head ever rip Rodgers again, or say he can't win a big game when most of the time lack of defense, or bad coaching, has done in the Packers during playoff time.
Rodgers is God and this low point spread reflects that.