The last time the Packers faced the Falcons was in 2014 and they saw a 31-7 lead shrink considerably over the course of the second half thanks in large part to the exploits of Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones.
The Packers held on for a 43-37 win, but Jones had 11 catches for 259 yards in the kind of dominating performance that we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from him over the years. Packers coach Mike McCarthy thinks there’s “no carryover” between that game and the one the teams will play in Atlanta this weekend, but Jones is just a few weeks removed from a 300-yard game so it’s not like there’s a noticeable difference in his game.
It doesn’t help that the Packers head into the contest with injury issues at cornerback, which may be why defensive back Micah Hyde is hoping for a little help from on high when it comes to slowing Jones down on Sunday.
“The week of [the game], every night before you go to bed, you’ve got to pray.” Hyde said, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Game day, you’ve got to wake up, you’ve got to pray. He’s just one of those guys that can get it done in all aspects of the game. Honestly, there’s nothing he can’t do. There’s guys that come along every now and then, you’ve got your Calvin Johnson-type guys, and he’s one of them. He’s the best in the game right now.”
The Packers were able to hold Odell Beckham in check when they face the Giants a couple of weeks ago, but the Falcons offense has been more productive than that one and they’ll be playing on their home field. That may raise the need for a little divine intervention on defense if the Packers are going to have more success about Jones this time around..