Competing in the NFL playoffs is challenging enough. Competing in the NFC Championship Game for the right to play in the Super Bowl is even more challenging. In the week of preparation beforehand, it's best to limit obstacles and distractions on the path to Sunday. Through no fault of their own, the Green Bay Packers have been unable to do that prior to their game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Injuries, illness, and flight s

The most important player sitting on the injury report for the Packers is wide receiver Jordy Nelson, the top receiving target of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

He remains questionable with his rib injury. Other questionable players include wide receiver Davante Adams and safety Morgan Burnett. Additionally, running back Christine Michael was added to the injury report late on Saturday with a back issue. Green Bay could use all of those players' help if they're going to pull out a win in the NFC Championship Game.

Some sort of flu bug has been going around the team's locker room. In addition to affecting two of their most important players in Nelson and Rodgers, it has also afflicted kicker Mason Crosby, the hero of last week's win over the Dallas Cowboys. It's a situation the Packers would rather not be dealing with right now.

Somehow making matters worse was a dense fog shrouding the city of Green Bay on Saturday, The weather forced the Packers to bus to Milwaukee 125 miles away just to fly to Atlanta for the game.

Just another distraction from the team's plans.

May not make a difference

While all of these issues should detract from Green Bay, the one thing they fail to change is how hot the Packers have been over the past two months. Their passing game is on another level and the rest of the team is coming together to mask their deficiencies.

The Falcons are another team with a loaded offense and questionable defense, which should make for an intriguing NFC Championship Game on Sunday, the last game set to be played at the Georgia Dome before the Falcons move out next season.