I usually don't feel the need to cover this, however, the special teams for both of these teams were simply top knotch. On the Falcons side of things you got rookie wide out Tim Dwight who amassed 1,236 return yards and a touchdown returning punts and kicks. On the other side you have late bloomer Desmond Howard, who after not doing very much in his 4 year NFL career suddenly set the record for punt return yards in a single season with a little over 875, and another 460 on kickoffs, and lets not forget his 99 yarder to cap off SBXXXI . I won't be saying this often, but these two special teams you HAVE to take into account.
Atlanta's offense was led by Pro Bowl QB Chris Chandler, who threw for over 3000 yards and had 25 TDs to 12 picks. Tony Martin and Terance Mathis were the top two targets for Chandler, combining for 17 of those TDs. Though those numbers are respectable, the team revolved around the master of the Dirty Bird, Jamal Anderson. Over 2000 total yards, and 17 total TDs, Jamal was simply a beast in 96.
Their Defense was superb at stopping the run, only giving up a little more the 1200 rushing yards, and only gave up 5009 total yards. Lester Archambeau and Chuck Smith combined for 18.5 sacks, and weren't too bad at stuffing the run as well. Even if the QB did get the pass off, they ran the risk of Ray Buchanan (7 picks) or Eugene Robinson (4 picks) taking the ball out the sky.
The Packers QB is not afraid to risk throwing picks, however,as they got gun slinger 2 time MVP Brett Favre at the helm. He threw for 3,899 yards and though he did throw 13 picks, his 39 TDs more then made up for it. His favorite target, Antonio Freeman, who had 933 yards recieving and 9 TDs, and Don Beebe is also one to watch, having put up 1,009 total offensive yards, and Keith Jackson caught 10 TDs. The running game was rather mediocre with top rusher Edgar Bennet having rushed for almost 900 yards, but the passing attack more then made up for it.
Their D was led by Reggie White, who was still producing even though he had been in the NFL for a long while at that point, raking in 8.5 sacks. DB Leroy Butler also raked in 5 picks, while his fellow DB Eugene Robinson (Huh, I feel like I've heard that name before...) had 6.
Prediction: I feel like this one will go to the Falcons. The Pack has no rushing attack, and the Falcons can force picks. Therefore, the Packers will become one dimensional allowing the Falcons to roll over them for a 14-35 victory. I know, crazy, but I just can't see the Packers D keeping Jamal out of the endzone.
Game Recap:
We start this recap with about 9 minutes left in the first quarter, Chris Chandler back to pass on his own 2 yard line but he gets leveled by Wayne Simmons AND IT'S A FUMBLE! Green Bay falls on it and goes up first, 7-0. Later on, with about a minute left in the 1st, Jamal Anderson bustes off a huge 40 yard run, getting his team down to the 18. The Falcons can't capitalize on it, and have to settle for a Morten Anderson FG to tighten things up 7-3. Brett Favre then drives the team for 6 minutes (heading into the 2nd) and a Dorsey Levens 13 yard run sets up a good FG by Chris Jacke to make it 10-3. A little later, however, Edgar Bennet fumbles the football and Atlanta scoops it up. Then, a 29 yard pass to Tony Martin and a 28 yard run by Bob Christian set up another Morten Anderson FG., Falcs still down, 10-6. With time dwindling down, two big passes to Antonio Freeman (16 and 19 yards respectivly) sets up a 2 yard TD run by Levens. Score at the half, Packers: 17 Falcons: 6.
To start off the second half, Jamal Anderson bustes off a 47 yard rush for a TD and starts doing the Dirty Bird, Falcons coming back 17-13. Favre drives down the field 6 minutes again and sets up another Chris Jacke FG to make that lead a bit more cozy, now 20-13. After a scoreless rest of the 3rd, the Pack kick off the 4th with a 17 yard Edgar Bennett TD run to make it 27-13. After an Atlanta 3 and out, Farve then leads the Packers on a 5 minute drive that ends with a 9 yard TD pass to Mark Chumra to get them up 34-13. The 4th quarter butchering is finally ended when, after a failed 4th down attempt by the Falcons, William Henderson picks up a 20 yard gain for a TD. Packers win this one big, 41-13.
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