Oct 5th 2008 2:24PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Falcons, Packers, NFC NorthFalcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has been very hot and cold during the first month of the season. During the first half today, Ryan has been very hot, which explains why the Falcons are halfway to pulling off the upset of the day, as they lead Green Bay 17-7.

Ryan was 13-of-18 for 154 yards and two touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks in the first half. Add in Michael Turner’s 59 yards rushing and the Falcons have dominated. The Packers are clearly missing defensive end Cullen Jenkins, who was lost for the year last week. Jenkins teamed with Aaron Kampman to give the Packers a pair of defensive ends who can both play the run and the pass, but with him out, the Packers are struggling against both.

Aaron Rogers has been quite good himself (7-of-9 for 82 yards), but the Packers running game has been nonexistent.

For Atlanta to pull off the upset, Ryan will have to prove he can sustain success for an entire game. He was just as good in the first half against the Lions, but his production in the second half dropped off dramatically.