The Green Bay Packers (10-3) won their fifth game in a row, defeating the Atlanta Falcons (5-8) at Lambeau Field Monday night, fending off a late-game surge winning 43-37 after almost blowing a 24-point halftime lead.

"Defensively, a tale of two halves. You have to give Atlanta's offense a lot of credit," Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy said. "We have plenty to clean up."

The Packers had jumped out to a 31-7 lead to end the half, but the Falcons put up 30 points in the second half, thanks to Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan's stellar performance, who threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns -- including a 22-yard touchdown by wide receiver Julio Jones. Jones had a career receiving day, breaking the franchise record for receiving yards with 259 yards off 11 receptions, including that fourth quarter touchdown that helped cut into the Packers' lead before leaving the game with a hip injury.

"When Julio is healthy and he and Matt (Ryan) are in tune with one another they're as good as any in the NFL, and he (Jones) is as good as any in the NFL," Falcons head coach Mike Smith said.

Atlanta had won three out of their last four games going into Monday night's game and still have a shot at making the playoffs despite a sub-.500 record. The Falcons are tied with the New Orleans Saints for the NFC Division lead and a two-game lead over the Carolina Panthers with three weeks left in the season. Atlanta plays the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Week 16 and the Panthers at home Week 17.

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Falcons wide receiver Roddy White, who had three catches for 42 yards and a touchdown, feels that lack of belief in making a playoff run is unacceptable despite the team's record.

"We scored 37 points tonight. If you can't believe in that, then you don't need to be in this locker room, we need to cut some people," White said after the game.

For the Packers, the victory keeps them on pace to gain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Packers are currently tied with the Arizona Cardinals for the best record in the NFC conference. The Packers are also trying to fend off the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles for a first-round bye and home game, as well as the Detroit Lions, who are only a game behind Green Bay for the NFC North division lead.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who finished the night with 327 yards and three touchdowns -- two of those to Jordy Nelson, who had eight catches for 146 yards -- realizes the importance of home-field advantage and wants the team to stay focused on earning the number one seed in the postseason, especially with the team currently 7-0 at Lambeau Field.

"I'm excited about our team," Rodgers said. "There's been some ups and downs on both sides of the ball all season, but we're really getting this home-field advantage thing going with the crowd noise, with the footing, with the way we're playing."

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