Falcons: And so it begins

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John Clayton on the NFC Playoffs:

1. Can the Falcons squander home-field advantage? They can. No team in the playoffs is under more pressure than the Falcons. Since 2008, their 33 home wins is second only to New England (34) in the NFL. Nevertheless, you have to wonder if they can handle the home field successfully in the playoffs. If they can't, you wonder what changes might happen.

Under head coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan, who joined the Falcons together in 2008, they are 0-3 in the playoffs. Thanks in part to the league's easiest schedule, the Falcons clinched home field and the No. 1 seed last week. The Falcons' loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday was their only home loss of the season and only the seventh since 2008.

The Falcons were held to their lowest point total of the season Sunday, and six of their home games were decided by six points or fewer. They are the top seed, but they can't be totally confident.

10.Who will make it to the NFC Championship Game? Clearly it's wide open, but I can foresee a championship game between the Falcons and Packers in the Georgia Dome.

Only six quarterbacks have won Super Bowls in the past nine seasons, and Rodgers is one of them. Plus, he's the only quarterback in the NFC playoffs who has won a playoff game. Though it won't be easy, I give the nod to the Packers. Pressed for an opponent, I'd say it will be the Denver Broncos.