Packers vs. Falcons

Packers vs. Falcons: Tom Oates' take on the second quarter

Wisconsin State Journal columnist Tom Oates analyzes the second quarter of the Green Bay Packers' NFC divisional playoff game Saturday at the Atlanta Falcons.

The parallels between this game and the first meeting are getting downright scary.

Late in the regular-season game, an Aaron Rodgers-to-Jordy Nelson touchdown pass tied the score at 17-17, but Eric Weems returned the Packers' kickoff to near midfield and a facemask penalty gave Atlanta the ball in Green Bay territory, which led to the game-winning field goal for Atlanta. Sunday, Rodgers completed a 13-play drive with a touchdown pass to Nelson that tied the game at 7-7. On the following kickoff, however, Weems took it back 102 yards for a touchdown.

But the comparisons weren't over yet. After Weems' score, Rodgers took the Packers on another long drive and gave them a first-and-goal at the 1. Faced with a similar situation sevens weeks ago, the Packers tied a sneak with Rodgers and he fumbled it away. More sure of their short-yardage running game this time, the Packers handed the ball to John Kuhn and he plowed over the goal line to make it 14-14.

It's unreal how good Rodgers is in domes. At halftime, he has completed 18 of 21 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. He led the Packers on touchdown drives of 80, 81 and 92 yards.

The Falcons had a first down at the 15 late in the half, but a Charles Woodson sack and a Tramon Williams interception kept Atlanta off the board. The turnovers are at one apiece. Here's guessing the team that commits the next one loses. As I wrote that, Williams picked off a Matt Ryan pass and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the half.

It's now the Packers' game to lose.

Bigby inactive for Packers vs. Falcons

GREEN BAY - The Packers defense will be without safety Atari Bigby and linebacker Frank Zombo when they take on the Falcons tonight.

Also inactive for tonight's NFC Divisional Playoff game are quarterback Graham Harrell, running back Dimitri Nance, fullback Korey Hall, cornerback Josh Gordy, and offensive linemen Evan Dietrich-Smith and Nick McDonald.

Fullback Quinn Johnson will start for Hall, and linebacker Eric Walden will start in place of Zombo.