With The Way The Falcons And Packers Meet In NFC Clash

Green Bay Packers visit the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday in a match with two of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL and a pair of Super Bowl contenders riding winning streaks of four games. The Packers (7-3) coming off a convincing 31-3 victory over division rival Minnesota, while the Falcons (8-2), own the best record in the NFC, St. Louis won 34-17 to record their eighth victory in nine games.

Aaron Rodgers Packers and Atlanta fourth, Matt Ryan are ringing each in his third season as a starter and both have handled the pressure, despite having to enforce the laws equally. Brett Rodgers replaced Favre, who left Green Bay in 2008 after 16 seasons and took over Ryan's explosive offense Atlanta Michael Vick.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he sees similarities in how the couple met its responsibilities."I think the consistency of personality. I do not know Matt personally, but it seems a very logical young man, and he was successful, and I'm sure there's a lot to do with it," said McCarthy. "It seems to be the same person during the week and out, and I think it's a lot to do with his level of play

. It seems to be very consistent quarterback." Ryan is a model of consistency in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, where he has a record of 18-1 and 5-0 as a starter this season, 11 TD passes. But Ryan was not the only player drawing praise from opponents of Atlanta coach Mike Smith said he was impressed with the way Rodgers has matured this year.

Rodgers threw a career-high four touchdown passes in the victory last week in Minnesota, including three to wide receiver Greg Jennings. "They have very good quarter that works as well as the entire league," said Smith. "They have very good receivers and we have to contain their passing game." NFL action to begin earlier this week with three games scheduled Thursday at the American holiday of Thanksgiving.

Detroit Lions (2-8) starts Thursday slate of games when they host the New England Patriots (8-2), who is on a high after their victory over the Colts d Indianapolis last week. Dallas Cowboys (3-7) will try to disrupt the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints (7-3), making it three consecutive victories after replacing coach Wade Phillips with Jason Garrett.

At the end of the game, the New York Jets (8-2) has a rematch of playoff game last year against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-8), who have lost seven straight since September 26. Cincinnati ended last season with a loss to the Jets.In other action on Sunday, Tampa Bay (7-3) are at Baltimore (7-3) while the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4), surprise leaders in the AFC South, will have to produce something special to continue their revival at the New York Giants (6-4).