There is a media vibe in this city and among the national press this week concerning Sunday night's outcome that is not too favorable for the home team. Let's punch rewind on the "Time Machine" and take a look at some things in recent memory.
On October 5, 2008, a young Matt Ryan in his fifth NFL start calmly enters intimidating Lambeau Field and completes 16-of-26 passes for 194 yards with two scoring tosses and a passer rating of 94.1.
Also, a new running back that day playing in his fifth game with a new team by the name of Michael Turner rumbles for 121 yards on the ground on 26 totes for a brash 4.7 per rush average with a 2-yard touchdown run to account for the winning margin. Atlanta leaves Green Bay with a 27-24 win.
It's November 28, 2010 at the Georgia Dome in Week 12 and a red-hot Ryan connects on 24-of-28 attempts for an eye-opening team (tying) record 85.7 completion percentage. He throws for 197 yards with one score and no interceptions en route to a triple digit rating of 107.9.
After the Packers tie the contest with :56 ticks left, "Matty Ice" coolly leads the Falcons down the field on his 12th career game-winning drive in the fourth quarter to set-up K Matt Bryant's 47-yard field goal in the closing seconds for a 20-17 triumph.
I think people have forgotten that Atlanta is 2-0 against Green Bay in regular season games. But all anyone wants to talk about is the last year's playoff game.
As head coach Mike Smith pointed out this week, "In terms of a revenge game and all that, you've got to go out each and every week and play. This is the most important game for us because it's the next one. It's not because of what happened last year. They're a different football team and we're a different football team (this year). "
So for Falcons fans, it's wise to remember the past when thinking about the present this weekend.
