Julio Jones entered the NFC Championship game with high expectations, following a solid performance in his previous matchup against Richard Sherman. The game marked the final one in the Georgia Dome, heightening the stakes for the Falcons. With Matt Ryan being the NFL MVP, anticipation built around how Jones would perform against a questionable Packers defense. Although he started slowly, he played a crucial role in establishing a 10-0 lead. The strategy of assigning LaDarius Gunter, a second-year undrafted free agent, to cover Jones highlighted the mismatch in talent.
Jones was bound to have more big-play opportunities after squaring off with Richard Sherman in the previous matchup. Facing a Packers defense filled with question marks raised increased anticipation for what the 2016 first-team All-Pro can do against them.
Fans were aware of the last time Jones played in an NFC Championship game, where he put on one of the most incredible performances of his career against the 49ers' vaunted defense. He would need to make his mark again in a potential shootout against a red-hot Packers offense led by Aaron Rodgers.
Unlike in his first NFC Championship game, Jones didn't let loose on the first two drives. Two short catches helped the offense get into a rhythm. That helped the Falcons take a 10-0 lead into the second quarter.
The notion of relying on a second-year undrafted free agent to cover one of the most dominant players in the league is frightening. Having him shadow Jones at times during the game was ludicrous.
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