FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- A steady snow fell on Green Bay the last time the Falcons traveled to face the Packers. Sub-freezing temperatures hardened the turf, but Falcons running backs found a way to dig in their cleats for 192 rushing yards.
The rest of the story is familiar...
Falcons defense dominates. Special teams returns blocked punt for a touchdown. Falcons give Packers first-ever playoff defeat at Lambeau, 27-7.
That was Jan. 3, 2003 and in just more than five-and-a-half years the entire face of the Falcons franchise has changed. This weekend, the Birds (2-2) go back to Green Bay (2-2) a different team with different goals. Atlanta re-established itself as one of the league's best rushing teams and showed it can dominate an opponent with wins over Detroit and Kansas City but the group hasn't won a game on the road this season.
Green Bay fans will certainly remember the 2002 playoffs and rarely let any visiting squad ruin their enthusiasm.
"We have to make a change and go and win an away game," center Todd McClure said. "Lambeau is a great place to play. They have diehard fans there that wait in line for season tickets. It's going to be loud there. The only way you get the crowd out of the game there is have success."
Falcons running back Michael Turner went to Lambeau as a member of the San Diego Chargers in 2007. The Packers won 31-24.
"The crowd is always into it," Turner said. "It's a great crowd. Tradition. Lambeau Field. You have to love it."
The Falcons haven't loved their performances on the road thus far: 24-9 defeats at Tampa Bay and Carolina. Last week the Birds converted just two third downs, dropped six passes and stalled in the red zone.
A historic venue with rowdy fans is on the radar, but correcting mental mistakes will be paramount in this matchup.
"Once you start playing on Sunday it's just a matter of going out and executing, going and running your plays correctly," said wide receiver Brian Finneran, who caught four passes for 35 yards in the Birds' playoff rout in Green Bay. "Throughout the week we go through some of the stuff we didn't have figured out last Sunday. But when you get up there on Sunday in Green Bay you just have to think about football.
"We know we can improve; we know we can play better at different times. We won great at home and we've done great on first down at home and we need to figure out why we're not doing it on the road."
QUICK STARTS: The Falcons found success in Weeks 1 and 3 with quick starts and explosive plays. The Buccaneers and Panthers limited those options but the instillation of a no-huddle offense last week in Charlotte could put the Falcons back on track.
Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan guided the team on a scoring drive with the no-huddle and looked comfortable calling plays at the line of scrimmage.
"We come up with an open mind," he said when asked about the no-huddle. "We've got a defined number of things we do in that situation and we look at what they're trying to do and try to get us in a play whether it be run or pass that's the best situation for that down and distance."
Through four games the Falcons rank 25th in the league in third-down conversions (33 percent). The offense has dominated in the Georgia Dome but games on the road ended with a total of six Jason Elam field goals. Finding the formula to recreate home success on the road dominates discussions around The Branch these days and the team is thankful for another shot at a victory away from Atlanta.
"I think it's important when you get opportunities in the red zone you have to come away with touchdowns," Ryan said. "We're working on it and guys are getting better and hopefully we can make some plays down there this week."
The ground game figures to be a key component again in the Falcons offense. The team leads the league in rushing yards per game (181.8) and plays the 26th-ranked Packers run defense this weekend.
Though statistically weak against the run, the Packers boast a stout group of linebackers including A.J. Hawk (34 tackles, two sacks) and Nick Barnett (30 tackles). The defensive line lost starter Cullen Jenkins earlier this week, but sack leader Aaron Kampman (four sacks) remains.
A quick start, especially on the ground, is important for most NFL games but is more critical on the road.
"We're actually happy we have another road game because we don't want to wait a couple weeks to address this problem," fullback Ovie Mughelli said. "It's something we have to fix right now if we want to be a great team and make it to the playoffs."
AIR ATTACK: Will Aaron Rodgers play? Only the Packers have the answer and they may wait until game day to test his sprained throwing shoulder.
Green Bay's starting quarterback suffered the injury in a loss at Tampa Bay last week. He's backed up by a pair of rookies -- Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm.
Whoever starts at quarterback has two of the league's best receivers at his disposal. Greg Jennings leads the NFL with 482 receiving yards (two touchdowns) and Donald Driver provides veteran savvy to the position. The team could look to strike first through the air as the run game has struggled. Last week the Packers rushed for just 28 yards and they rank 23rd in rushing yards per game (93.5).
The Falcons didn't pressure the quarterback last week and Jake Delhomme threw for 294 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Second-year cornerback Brent Grimes drew the assignment of Mushin Muhammad, who caught eight passes for 147 yards.
"You just look at the film and learn from it," Grimes said. "You can't keep thinking about (the last game). You have to play the next game."
The Packers secondary is playing very well despite an injury to starting cornerback Al Harris. Cornerback Charles Woodson has returned two interceptions for scores and safety Nick Collins is tied for second in the league with three picks.
SHUFFLING THE CARDS: Left tackle Sam Baker returned to practice Thursday for the first time since Week 3. Starting strong safety Lawyer Milloy (ribs) also returned to practice.
"It was nice to see No. 72 (Baker) and No. 36 (Milloy) back out there practicing today," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "Again, these guys are recovering from their injuries. We were able to work them on a limited basis today."
Baker suffered a concussion in a Week 2 loss at Tampa Bay and left early in Week 3 with an illness. The team performed a battery of tests on the rookie standout last week and decided to bring him along slowly. Milloy left last week's game at Carolina after taking a shot to the ribs.
For more injury news, including updates on 14 injured Packers players, visit the Saint Joseph's Injury Report.
THE SKINNY: Most of the Falcons roster was still in college when the Falcons defeated the Packers in 2002. But that doesn't mean they don't realize a similar importance in this weekend's game.
Atlanta starts three rookies (five if you include nickel back Chevis Jackson and slot receiver Harry Douglas). Youngsters are heavily relied on this season and a win on the road at Lambeau Field will build confidence and recognition.
"I think a young team hasn't experienced it and you need confirmation," Smith said. "You really have to get that first one. We've had some confirmation on some of the things we've done in mini camp and OTAs and had some success. I think it's important for us to continue to work hard, not really stress about, but make sure they continue to understand that we need to keep working the process. If we work the process we're going to like the outcome."
NUMBERS, NOTES AND COLORS: Some digits, info and hues to get you ready for Sunday's game against the Packers...
- The Packers lead the overall series with the Falcons 12-10.
- Assistant head coach/secondary Emmitt Thomas spent on season with the Packers (1999)
- The Packers lead the NFL with four returns for touchdowns.
- The Falcons have won eight of the last 15 meetings with the Packers.
- Atlanta will wear white jerseys this weekend in Green Bay.
- Two of John Abraham's six sacks have come from left defensive end (four, plus two forced fumbles, have come from the right side).
- The Falcons coaching staff boasts 188 combined years of NFL experience.
- Curtis Lofton is second in the league in tackles among rookies according to STATS, Inc.
MORE FALCONS-PACKERS COVERAGE:
- SCOUTING REPORT: Falcons look for first road win of '08 in historic venue
- FALCONCAST: J. Mike and Matt preview the Falcons-Packers game
- FANTASY FOOTBALL: Matt and "Falcon Al" talk fantasy football
- ASK THE COACH: Paul Boudreau talks with offensive linemen Tyson Clabo and Todd McClure
- NOTEBOOK: Falcons want 'third' time to be charm on the road
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Thoughts from the AF.com Managing Editor
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith
- FOE AUDIO: Mike McCarthy | Aaron Rodgers
- INJURY REPORT: More on this week's injuries in the Saint Joseph's Health and Wellness Center
- VIDEO: From the Training Room | From the Strength Training Room
- LOCKER ROOM: Jackson | Mughelli | Ryan | McClure | Finneran
