Advantage: Atlanta Falcons?

[Tarlam!]

Found this interesting: http://playoffs.atlantafalcons.com/2010/

The Georgia Dome has become the most difficult place for opponents to play in the NFL. Mike Smith's Falcons teams are 20-4 over the past 3 seasons at their home stadium, including a 7-1 record in 2010. The big reason is YOU.

Take 70,000 people, united as one, whipped into a frenzy. You change the game and provide a distinct advantage for your team.

The weekend of January 15, we need you more than ever. We need you to blow the roof off of the building. Do you scream loud? Well, scream louder.

Below we've listed three years' worth of decibel readings during game days at the Georgia Dome. The loudest recorded reading is 117.9 on October 12, 2008 (vs. Chicago Bears).

For now.

The 2010 Playoffs are here. It's time to step up. It's time to RISE UP.

The Saints own 2 of 4 of those losses ('09, '10). This season, the average dB was 101.1. Against the Saints, it was 110.3 dB! Let 'em bring their noise, it makes 'em vulnerable!!

O.K. All kidding aside, how many points is HFA worth in Atlanta? Even though it's hard to measure, I think it's a 10 point advantage: 1 missed score and one FG that would have been a TD at Lambeau. Thoughts?

[Joemailman]

Nothing quiets a crowd down like having the visiting come in and run the ball down their throats. Hopefully the Packers can do some of that.

[gbgary]

Nothing quiets a crowd down like having the visiting come in and run the ball down their throats. Hopefully the Packers can do some of that.

yup. philly was pretty quiet until the forth quarter. the one time they got loud was after their first td...but they shut up again after the Pack went down and scored their third td.

[rbaloha1]

Tough place to win like all domes.

Yes -- big advantage. IMO the bigger problem is the Falcon's discipline and physicality.

[mission]

The game earlier this year was like 30% Packers fans including myself. Place was loud as hell for the Packers.

Doesn't come close to comparing the hostility in Philly or Chicago when I've gone. Atlanta fans are (mostly) fair weather and few of them are intense. Their more interested in the date they brought or getting back to Alpharetta safely (less drinking).

[Freak Out]

The team is what worries me not the building. If Turner gets rolling it is going to be tough. This is a tougher job for Capers then Vick was.

[mraynrand]

The team is what worries me not the building. If Turner gets rolling it is going to be tough. This is a tougher job for Capers then Vick was.

It's the balanced offense that makes them tough. Like the 90s Cowboys, they can run the ball, and have great top talent at QB, WR, and TE. Their WR depth is just OK, and their O-line can be beaten. Their defense is good, not great. Should be a tight game, just like the first time. Team that makes the fewest mistakes wins. Crowd noise will cause mistakes...

[Smidgeon]

How will/can the Georgia Dome be worse than the Metrodome in terms of loud, hostile environments?

[mraynrand]

How will/can the Georgia Dome be worse than the Metrodome in terms of loud, hostile environments?

Well, the last time the Packers were there, half the crowd fell asleep from boredom. I think the ATL crowd will be pretty pumped for a Divisional playoff game....

[Cheesehead Craig]

You know, when we beat the Falcons and if the Seahawks beat the Bears, we beat the Seahawks and the Ravens make the SB, we could beat 4 bird teams this year in the playoffs.

[Joemailman]

Packers are getting some major respect from the oddsmakers. Falcons are favored by only 2. That's the smallest point spread of the 4 games next week.

[Packers4Glory]

They are very beatable at home. GB dominated that game and if rodgers holds onto the ball they win.

stupid mistakes like getting pushed into the ball on a punt, fumbles, dropped passes (TDs), big returns...ect kill this team and keep teams hanging around. They have got to eliminate those plays from here on out. There is no excuse for them now.

[LEWCWA]

Tough place to win like all domes.

Yes -- big advantage. IMO the bigger problem is the Falcon's discipline and physicality.

This it true, but what I like about GB's chances is the same thing. Since the terrible DET game, this team has physically dominated teams that are supposed to be either more physical or more talented. They have been a physical team and pretty much dominated NE, NYG, CHI and PHI. This is what bodes well for GB in my opinion. Since the Lions took it to them, They have stepped it up and manhandled everyone in the trenches! I like it.

[MadtownPacker]

They should have beat them last time. They are gonna beat them this time.

[packrulz]

I think the defense needs to win this game, ARod can score points but if they can't slow down Turner it will be a long night.