'We're Never Down for the Count!' Falcons 2-0 with Clutch Win Over Packers
Two of the league's up-and-coming quarterbacks faced off in Week 2 as first-year starters Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers, and Desmond Ridder of the Atlanta Falcons are both looking to continue their teams' undefeated streaks. ... and Atlanta remains undefeated with a last-second 25-24 win.
Said QB Desmond Ridder in the postgame: “When you see the Atlanta Falcons out there, we’re never down for the count.''
Here's how it unfolded ...
Last week, Love threw for three touchdowns as he looked to step out of the shadow being cast by the ghost of three-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who the team traded to the New York Jets in the offseason.
As for Ridder, he picked up where he left off last season when he went on a two-game winning streak. He was helped by an impressive run game featuring second-year player Tyler Allgeier and rookie running back Bijan Robinson.
Robinson had 10 carries for 56 yards and an additional six targets, which he made good use of, catching all six passes for 27 yards and a touchdown.
The run game will need to be strong following a disappointing first game for wide receiver Drake London, who will now face off will All-Pro caliber cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Green Bay's offense will be facing adversity as well this week with starting running back Aaron Jones out and A.J. Dillon being forced to step up in a larger role. How Atlanta's defense handles this change could very well decide the game.
Without Jone's elusiveness in the backfield, the Falcons should be able to make it much more difficult for the new quarterback, something safety Jessie Bates did with ease when facing No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 when he forced three turnovers.
WHAT: Green Bay Packers (1-0) at Atlanta Falcons (1-0)
WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia (75,000)
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: WZGC-FM 92.9 The Game
Tickets via SI Tickets
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Packers +1.5 (-110), Falcons -1.5 (-118)
TOTAL: 40.5 (o -110, u -118)
MONEYLINE: Packers +105, Falcons -125
FIRST QUARTER
Green Bay takes a touchback and will start the game from its own 25-yard line.
Jordan Love and A.J. Dillon attempt a flea flicker on the first play of the game. A perfect pass turns into a pass interference penalty on Falcons A.J. Terrell for a 44-yard gain.
Dillon rushes for three yards on the carry, then Love misses tight end Luke Musgrave on a pass attempt. On third down, the Packers have a false start, pushing them back. Atlanta and David Onyemata get a pass deflection to end the offense's hopes of advancing the drive.
A delay of game pushes Green Bay out of field goal range and forces them to punt.
Falcons first drive 13:54 remaining in the first quarter.
Ridder gets the ball to Drake London on the first play of the drive for nine yards. Bijan Robinson then carries the ball for seven yards to pick up the first down. OH NO! Rasul Douglas gets an interception following a sloppy pass from Ridder as he got hit throwing the ball.
Packers second drive
The Packers' drive goes nowhere, with Love getting sacked by Kaden Elliss. They punt the ball back to the Falcons following a three-and-out by the offense.
Falcons Second Drive
Only seven total yards between both offenses thus far. 54 penalty yards, though. Robinson runs for three yards on the first. Jonnu Smith picks up the first down on a beautifully placed Ridder pass.
Allgeier continues to run angrily as Atlanta's backfield continues to make a case for it being the best in the league.
On second and 10, following an incompletion to Kyle Pitts, Smith gets seven yards as the veteran tight end continues to find success early. Ridder runs for the first down on third down and three, picking up five yards.
Ridder targeting both tight ends with frequency, Pitts now gets his second catch for nine yards. Then Robinson makes a catch for another nine yards as the offense seems to be finding a rhythm.
A penalty pushes Atlanta one yard from the goal line in what looks to be a promising scoring drive following some early struggles. However, the offense attempts two passes, which go incomplete, and a stuffed rush. The Falcons settled for a field goal following a false start from the offensive lineman on what would've been a fourth down attempt for the touchdown.
Falcons lead 3-0 over the Packers with 3:50 remaining in the first quarter
Love fakes to Dillon, and Romeo Dobbs picks up the first on a 15-yard completion. Dillon then carries for seven yards. On second and three, Dillon gets two yards, forcing a third and one. Musgrave gets 17 yards, extending the drive following a fake to Dillon.
This series is a struggle. They're facing third and 10. Love scrambles for 24 yards and comes up talking smack to Atlanta's defense as the first quarter comes to a close.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER FALCONS LEAD PACKERS 3-0
Musgrave looks to be a favorite of Love in the passing game. He gets eight yards for third and two in Atlanta's red zone. Dillon then rushes for a near first down, Green Bay facing fourth and short, but they throw a challenge flag questioning the spot on what announcers believe should have been a first down.
The call is reversed, with the Packers getting the first down after all. 10 plays and 74 yards. After the long break in play, rookie receiver Jayden Reed takes a nine-yard pass for a touchdown, displaying impressive speed.
PACKERS TAKE LEAD 7-3 over the Falcons with 13:33 remaining in the First Half
Atlanta Drive:
On third and 15, Ridder completes it deep to London for 22 yards, and then Robinson rushes for 19 yards. This offense looks explosive!
The drive stalls with the team turning it over on downs. Green Bay gets the ball back on what should have been an interception for Jaire Alexander with pick-six potential.
Packers Drive:
Love pushes it to the red zone and on third down, and six a pass deflection from Terrell in the endzone kills Green Bay's drive, and they settle for a field goal.
PACKERS LEAD 10-3 Over the Falcons with 3:06 remaining in the first half
Robinson rushes for nine yards as the game enters the two-minute warning. He then picks up the first down on his next carry.
Mack Hollins gets his first catch of the game, and again, Bijan carries for another first down into field goal range. Pitts and Robinson advance it to third and one. Ridder keeps it on a quarterback sneak but is stopped short. The offense goes for it on fourth and one. Robinson runs outside for a 13-yard gain before stepping out of bounds. With 25 seconds remaining, Ridder passes it to Jonnu Smith, who makes an impressive catch near the endzone.
The Falcons burn their final timeout.
Drake London gets a touchdown reception with 12 seconds remaining, but the PAT is NOOOO GOOOD!
Falcons enter the Half down 9-10 against the Packers
Back from the break, Atlanta fails to score.
The Falcons punt the ball back to the Packers, who capitalize. with a passing touchdown to rookie receiver Dontayvion Wicks on a 32-yard touchdown catch.
Green Bay extends their lead 17-9 over the Falcons, 10:31 in the third remaining
Bijan Robinson rushes for 13 yards to start the drive as he continues to wear down the Packers' defense. He's averaging eight yards per carry.
Jonnu Smith picks up the first down with a catch and run of 13 yards.
Allgeier is punishing the Packers. He's fed four straight times and picks up 22 yards. A Ridder incomplete pass temporarily ends the offense's productivity.
Robinson runs for 11 yards and eclipses his first 100-yard rushing game in his career. Ridder then completes a pass deep in the endzone to Hollins for an 11-yard TOUCHDOWN!
The play is under review...and REVERSED. No touchdown, second and 10 for Atlanta. Preston Smith gets a sack on RIdder, and the Falcons are forced to settle for a 33-yard field goal.
Falcons cut Packers lead 12-17. One score game with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter
Love throws deep to Dobbs, and there's a flag on the incomplete pass. Pass interference on Trey Flowers pushes the Packers 43 yards downfield. Then a pass to Reed goes for eight yards. A.J. Dillon picks up the first down. He's averaging four yards per carry this game.
Reed gets a nine-yard reception. and Flowers gets replaced by Mike Hughs as Love seemed to be targeting whoever he was covering.
TOUCHDOWN! Reed breaks free for his second touchdown of the game and his career. Packers lead by 12, and Love has three touchdown passes for the second straight week.
Packers Extend Lead 24-12 Entering the Fourth
MACK HOLLINS WITH A MOSS!!! 45 Yard Pass DEEP downfield, Savage stops what would have been a long touchdown.
On fourth down, Ridder scrambles and runs in for a Falcons TOUCHDOWN!!! The first rushing touchdown of his career.
Atlanta cuts the lead. Green Bay leads 24-19 with 11:48 remaining on the clock
Packers Drive:
Love doesn't Dobbs for a potential touchdown and throws an incomplete pass. On third and nine, A.J. Terrell drops an interception in his hands. The Packers are forced to punt for the first time since the first quarter.
Falcons' Offense will take the field with 10:51 remaining in a one-score game
On third and two, Atlanta brings in Bijan Robinson, and he goes out wide. Ridder takes off for a sliding first down.
Ridder throws to Robinson for a 25-yard gain into Packers territory. On second and 12, Ridder scrambles to create a third and seven. Mack Hollins drops a pass behind him. Koo comes onto the field and kicks a field goal.
Falcons cut the lead down, Packers lead 22-24 with 8:10 remaining in the game
The Packers get it to third and one. Dillon...comes up just short. They act as though they'll attempt to go for it on fourth and inches, but the Packers ultimately punt after going three and out.
Falcons Ball 6:07 remaining down 2
23-yard connection to Drake London. On third and three, Ridder hits Robinson for a first down extending the drive.
Robinson and Allgeier each rush, forcing a third and three in field goal range. Ridder runs all over the backfield, trying to find a hole before diving on what officials rule is fourth and inches, but Falcons head coach Arthur Smith throws the challenge flag on the spot.
The ruling stands, but they go for it on fourth, and Bijan picks up the FIRST DOWN, sending the game to the two-minute warning. The gutsy call paid off for Atlanta.
Allgeier runs the ball as the Falcons look to kill more clock before taking the lead. An angry run forces third and six, with Green Bay spending their final timeout. Bijan runs and comes up short on the first down.
Arthur Smith opts to run the clock down so that should Koo make the field goal, the Packers have less than a minute to try taking the lead back.
The 25-yard field goal is GOOD!
The Falcons take a one-point lead with 57 seconds remaining in the game.
Falcons lead 25-24 with under a minute to go
Packers drive:
The first play is an incomplete pass. The second pass does the same with Love under distress in the pocket. Third and 10, Love overthrows Dobbs, who was open on the sideline. Fourth and 10...Love completes for a first down, but a penalty calls it back.
Green Bay going for it on fourth and 15 with 34 seconds remaining on the clock. Except NO! The catch is reversed, and an incomplete pass ends the game for the Packers.
THE FALCONS WIN, Completing a miraculous fourth-quarter comeback to win 25-24 and extend their win streak 2-0 to begin the season.
Final Score Falcons 25 Packers 24
