The Green Bay Packers erased a 14 point first half deficit, scoring 25 unanswered points to defeat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football 25-14.
The Falcons didn’t take long to get an early jump on the defending Super Bowl champions, charging down the field 80 yards on the game’s opening possession, capped off by a five yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Ryan to a wide open Roddy White in the end zone. Falcons strike first 7-0.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had the Packers offense clicking on all cylinders on Green Bay’s first possession, crossing the ball quickly into Atlanta territory. However, the drive came to an end when running back Ryan Grant uncharacteristically fumbled the ball back to the Falcons.
The Falcons took advantage of the Green Bay fumble, driving the ball down the field on the back of Michael Turner. The Falcons scored their second touchdown of the first half on a Turner one yard blast into the end zone.The Packers found themselves in an early 14-0 hole minutes into the second quarter.
The Packers finally got on the board with five and a half minutes left in the first half, on a Mason Crosby 32 yard field goal. The Packers were set up on the 4 yard line after a 39 yard pass from Rodgers to wide receiver Greg Jennings. However, after consecutive Atlanta sacks the Packers had to settle for the field goal.
After forcing an Atlanta punt on the next series, Green Bay received the ball with a little over four minutes remaining in the first half. The Packers drove the ball all the way down inside the Atlanta ten yard line. However after an offensive holding penalty had to settle for another field goal with eight seconds remaining, cutting the Atlanta lead to eight going into the locker room.
After making Green Bay to a punt on the first possession of the second half, Atlanta went right back to work. The Falcons worked the ball all the way down to the Packers 30 yard line. However, an illegal hands to the face penalty pushed Atlanta out of field goal range forcing them to punt as well.
Green Bay inched closer on a 56 yard Mason Crosby field goal with five and half minutes remaining in the third quarter.
After forcing another Atlanta punt, Aaron Rodgers connected on a 70 yard touchdown bomb to wide receiver James Jones. Green Bay’s attempt at a two point conversion failed, however the Packers had their first lead of the night at 15-14, erasing a 14 point deficit with under four minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Green Bay scored their second consecutive touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, when Rodgers hit Greg Jennings for a 29 yard touchdown pass. The Packers scored 22 unanswered points to take an eight point lead just seconds into the final period.
The Green Bay defense forced Atlanta into their third consecutive punt in the second half with 13 minutes remaining in the game. The Falcons offense that looked unstoppable in the first quarter, couldn’t seem to move the ball and were starting to fade down the stretch.
Green Bay put the game out of reach on a 30 yard Mason Crosby field goal with a little over a minute remaining.
The Packers are 5-0 and will head to St. Louis next Sunday to face the winless Rams.
The Atlanta Falcons fall to 2-3 and will look to get back on the right track when they host Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers next Sunday afternoon.
**Game Leaders**
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Passing: Aaron Rodgers -26/39 for 396 yards and 2 touchdowns
Rushing: James Starks – 40 yards on 12 carries
Receiving: James Jones – 140 yards on 5 receptions and 1 touchdown
ATLANTA FALCONS
Passing: Matt Ryan – 18/32 for 167 yards and 1 touchdown
Rushing: Michael Turner – 56 yards on 16 carries and 1 touchdown
Receiving: Tony Gonzalez – 60 yards on 6 receptions
