Rodgers looks set to guide Packers to Superbowl

Preview: NFL Divisional Round: Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons

Date and Time: Monday January 23, 7:05am AEDT

Venue: Georgia Dome, Atlanta

TV: Live on ESPN

The Packers are the NFL’s hottest team right now and head into this Superbowl qualifier on the back of eight straight wins. The team that stands between them and the decider has won five games of their own in a row and will go in as favourites to make it six straight.

The NFC title game pits two of the league’s best quarterbacks from the regular season head-to-head in a match-up that will decide the winner of this game. Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers has thrown 24 touchdowns and one interception in his last nine games while Atlanta’s Matt Ryan is the favourite to win the league MVP.

The two quarterbacks combined for seven touchdown passes when the Falcons beat the Packers 33-32 in the final minute at this venue in Week Eight. The Falcons are favoured to the Packers again here at $1.46. The $2.81 looks good value to me.
WATCH: Odds Shark’s Preview of the NFC Championship match

Rodgers’ early-season struggles are a distant memory and while he doesn’t have the accomplishments of some other quarterbacks on his resume, he might be the best of all time when he’s at his peak. The veteran is currently playing the best football of his career.

On the other side of the ball, the Falcons’ offense has been just about unstoppable at home, no matter whom they’ve played. Entering the divisional playoffs, they were scoring 35 points per game at the Georgia Dome and proceeded to put up 36 points on the Seattle Seahawks’ No. 3 scoring defence.

Matt Ryan was the best quarterback that started every game in the regular season, and he should put up more big numbers against a vulnerable Packers’ defence. As good as Ryan has been this season, Rodgers might currently be playing better than any quarterback has in NFL history.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see either team win but the Packers are the logical choice, getting five points in handicap betting. Green Bay have covered the line in their last three trips to the Georgia Dome.

Suggested Bet: Packers to cover the line (+5): $1.90

Sportsbet Market:

Match

Green Bay Packers $2.81

Atlanta Falcons $1.46

Handicap (Line)

Green Bay Packers (+5) $1.90

Atlanta Falcons (-5) $1.94

Total Match Points

Over (60) $1.92

Under (60) $1.92

Big Win – Little Win

Green Bay Packers by 1-13 pts $3.26

Green Bay Packers by 14 + $19.75

Atlanta Falcons by 1-13 pts $1.89

Atlanta Falcons by 14 + $4.45