Written by Vaughn McClure at ESPN.com
Brooks Reed better be on alert this time. The boss is watching.
Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn clearly remembers what happened the last time his team faced Green Bay, in Week 8 of the regular season. The Falcons escaped with a 33-32 win, but there was a penalty on Reed in the fourth quarter that could have been costly.
During a personnel change, the defensive end slowly made his way off the field, and the savvy Rodgers saw it and quickly got the ball snapped. As a result, Reed and the Falcons were penalized 5 yards for having 12 men on the field after an official review. The penalty, which wiped out a third-and-4 defensive stop, gave the Packers a first down and set up a go-ahead touchdown.
The Falcons were bailed out when Matt Ryan hit Mohamed Sanu for the game-winning, 11-yard score. But Reed was ripped on social media.
Quinn was asked if he might kid around with Reed this week and bring up the blunder.
“For sure. I don’t know if it would be kidding,” he said with a laugh. “I will say that the point will be stressed.”
There are many factors the Falcons have to be aware of as they prepare to face the red-hot Rodgers in Sunday’s NFC Championship game. The two-time MVP thrives out of the pocket and against the blitz. He can move a safety with his eyes, then go the other direction to an open man. He can throw a dart across his body on the run probably better than anyone else.
One area in which the Falcons have to show great discipline is those personnel changes, knowing Rodgers is waiting to catch them napping with the no-huddle, quick game. Going between the nickel and base defenses, of course, means different waves of players entering and exiting for the Falcons, and that gives Rodgers a chance to pull off one of his signature moves.
