Packers vs. Falcons: Tale of the tape ahead of NFC Championship

Defensive line

Neither team dominates up front, but there’s still plenty of talent along the defensive lines.

Against the run, Green Bay has been a tougher unit. Mike Daniels is a major reason why, again proving to be the Packers’ best defensive player, and one few outside of Packers News have heard of. Green Bay ranked No. 8 against the run in the regular season, and its defensive line is No. 6 in Football Outsiders’ adjusted sack rate. Atlanta, in contrast, was No. 17 against the run and is No. 24 in adjusted sack rate.

The Falcons are also without defensive end Adrian Clayborn, second on the team in sacks with 4.5. Beware the interior pressure from young Grady Jarrett, the second-year man notching three sacks on the year.

To have any hope of slowing down the Falcons’ high-powered offense, the Packers will need to win up front. That won’t be easy against Atlanta’s talented offensive line. Kenny Clark, selected by Green Bay in the first round of last spring’s draft, is coming off a breakout performance in Dallas. He’ll need another good one in the Georgia Dome.

This is tough to call, but Daniels’ presence gives the edge to Green Bay.

Advantage: Green Bay