Falcons-Packers 3: NFC foes meet for third time in 11 months

Vic Beasley Jr. sacks quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the Falcons-Packers regular-season matchup in 2016. The teams met in the NFC title game in January and will face each other Sunday in the 2017 home opener for the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Vic Beasley Jr. sacks quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the Falcons-Packers regular-season matchup in 2016. The teams met in the NFC title game in January and will face each other Sunday in the 2017 home opener for the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

The first matchup was a regular-season nailbiter and the second was a postseason blowout.

So what’s in store for Falcons-Packers 3 this weekend at Mercedes-Benz Stadium?

Sunday’s nationally-televised contest will be the first regular-season game in the new $1.5 billion facility and the third meeting between the NFC foes in 11 months.

Atlanta edged Green Bay 33-32 last October in Week 8 of the regular season and secured its berth in Super Bowl LI with a 44-21 win in the NFC title game in January -- both games at the Georgia Dome.

Here’s a look back at the previous two games:

Falcons fans celebrate at the end of the team's 44-21 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship game Jan. 22, 2017. It was the final game in the Georgia Dome. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

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Dominate, advance: Atlanta dominant in 23-point win, advances to Super Bowl

5 keysHow Falcons were able to dominate the Packers

PhotosFalcons roll past Packers in NFC title game

HummerFalcons advance to Super Bowl, and make it look easy

Mohamed Sanu catches the game-winning touchdown pass in the final minute of the Falcons' 33-32 victory over the Packers in Week 8 of the 2016 regular season. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com.

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5 thingsWhat did the Falcons learn in their 33-32 win

PhotosFalcons edge the Packers

Thoughts from the MVPWhat Matt Ryan had to say after the win last October