The NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers scored 31 points in the first half and then held off a late comeback attempt to gain a thrilling, 43-37 victory over the struggling Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons loss ensures that this season’s NFC South champion will have at least eight losses. 

The two leaders of the South are currently the Falcons and Saints both sporting 5-8 records. 

Aaron Rodgers led the offensive attack completing 24 of 36 throws for 327 yards and three touchdowns. He now has 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last five games.

While the Falcons had no answer for Rodgers or the Packers’ running game, allowing 502 total yards, their offense showed plenty of bright spots. Well, truly only one bright spot, which was the same bright spot in last week’s game.

Julio Jones.

Jones grabbed 11 receptions for 259 yards and a touchdown, setting a career high in receiving yards for the second straight week. He accounted for an astounding 69 percent of Matt Ryan’s passing yards. That was even with missing the last half of the 4th quarter with a hip injury. 

Ryan finished with 375 yards and four touchdowns; the Falcons tallied 465 total yards and scored on all five of their possessions of the second half.

Atlanta returns home for a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers next week, but the division will ultimately come down to Weeks 16 and 17 against the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.

As for the Packers, their red-hot offense will be tested over the final stretch with games against the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions.

The latter will prove crucial in deciding the NFC North, but right now, Green Bay looks strong on grabbing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.