Atlanta and Chicago have something else in common other than both coming off division titles: They both had their 2010 season ended by the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. Of course the Pack went to Atlanta and thumped the Falcons in the divisional round and then won a close one at Soldier Field in the NFC Championship Game. That game of course saw Bears QB Jay Cutler on the sideline for most of the second half, which set off a firestorm of criticism for Cutler not playing through injury. It will be interesting to see how the Bears faithful treat him if/when he makes a mistake in this one.

The Falcons have one of the best skill position trios in the NFL in QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner and WR Roddy White. And Atlanta made a huge draft day trade with Cleveland to add former Alabama star WR Julio Jones. The Falcons weren’t a big-play team last year but hope Jones changes that. The Falcons were just middle-of-the-pack in total yards last season.

The Bears were No. 30 in offense in 2010 and are hoping that former Cowboys WR Roy Williams can add a big-play threat of their own. The Chicago defense is back mostly intact after the Bears were fourth in the NFL in average points allowed last season – the Bears did recently add former Patriots Pro Bowl safety Brandon Meriweather. Chicago has had to deal with the distraction of Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs requesting a trade because the team wouldn’t rework his contract.

Atlanta and Chicago haven’t played since Week 6 of the 2009 season, a 21-14 Falcons win in the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won despite being outgained by 120 yards. Ryan threw for 185 yards and two scores and Cutler threw for 300 and two TDs but also two picks.

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