ATLANTA (AP) — After a week of big projections about the high-scoring offenses in the NFC championship game, the big surprise came from Atlanta's defense.
The Falcons shut out Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the first half of their 44-21 win Sunday. Atlanta earned its second trip to the Super Bowl by muffling one of the league's most respected offenses.
The Falcons (13-5) led 31-0 before giving up their first points in the third quarter.
For 36-year-old defensive end Dwight Freeney, the win provided evidence that Atlanta's young defense has matured. The Falcons started four rookies and four second-year players on defense.