Green Bay at Atlanta – Rodgers and Ryan Take Center Stage in Divisional Playoffs

When it comes to betting on the NFL playoffs, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan seemingly have a lot in common, and both must be accounted for more than anyone else on their teams. They’re about the same size. They’re about the same age. They’re both first round picks in the NFL Draft. They’ve both enjoyed time as starters for the past three years.

They’re both extremely successful in that regard.

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Before this season, they also had one more commonality – neither of them had a win in the NFL playoffs. Of course, Rodgers finally got in to the win column after vanquishing the Philadelphia Eagles on the road last weekend.

Matt Ryan is still searching for his first postseason victory. He’ll get his chance this Saturday in the Green Bay at Atlanta Divisional Playoff game that kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET.

We’re very quick to anoint heroes in sports, especially with the “immediate reaction” of the internet and sports commentary in general. Matt Ryan is a very good, and very capable, quarterback. He makes all the throws, he commands the field – he does everything well.

So does Aaron Rodgers. So do a lot of quarterbacks. But winning in the playoffs regardless of your mechanics and team surroundings is the difference between being Ben Roethlisberger (two-time Super Bowl Champion) or Tony Romo (one playoff victory in his career).

The Atlanta Falcons [-2.5 (-120)] stampeded the NFC and the majority of the league this year in football betting. They were one of the best bets in all of football with a record of 11-5 ATS and, even though they have a lack of veteran presence, this team is very well coached. Tony Gonzalez does plenty for this locker room.

Still, the NFL playoffs begin and end with quarterbacks. We can call Matt Ryan the next [Fill in the blank with your favorite all-time quarterback] but the fact is that he still has a lot to prove. The playoffs are a different animal, and let’s not forget that Ryan is only three years into a very young career.

The line on this game is moving all over the place, largely because the Falcons have been unbeatable at home and the Green Bay Packers [+2.5 (+100)] are not exceptional when it comes to playing on the road. Only one quarterback can take a step in the right direction.

At this point Aaron Rodgers is playing angry. He’s mad at Favre for holding him back. He’s mad at the football gods for injuring all of his best players. He’s mad at the world for overlooking him and paying attention to Vick, Manning, Brady, Brees and Ryan. The chip on Rodgers’ shoulder is the size of Mt. Everest.

Should Rodgers win, it will speak volumes about his leadership ability. We will write (and you will read) loads of articles about his tenacity and ability to overcome the impossible. We’ve seen evidence of Rodgers’ mean streak before.

Unfortunately, we just can’t say the same about Matt Ryan. Not yet anyways.