Falcons Rally Past Jordan Love-Led Packers: Story, Game Ball, Lame Ball

The Green Bay Packers, playing without four key players on offense, blew a fourth-quarter lead as Jordan Love and the defense failed to answer against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Green Bay Packers have a new starting quarterback. They’ve got the same old run defense.

The Atlanta Falcons rushed for 211 yards and absolutely dominated the fourth quarter en route to earning a 25-24, come-from-behind victory on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Green Bay split its season-opening games at Chicago and Atlanta. It will host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson was unstoppable with 124 rushing yards and 48 more threw the air. Second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder shook off an early interception and finished with 237 passing yards, 39 rushing yards and two total touchdowns.

When Younghoe Koo booted a 25-yard field goal to give Atlanta a 25-24 lead with 57 seconds remaining, the Falcons had a 447-224 edge in yardage. Jordan Love, making his third career start as the Packers’ quarterback, had a chance to be the hero but threw four consecutive incompletions in the final moments.

Green Bay had just 11 yards during the fourth quarter.

“Obviously, very disappointed,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “When you have a 12-point lead in the second half and you don’t make the plays and don’t play complementary football, and then you have mistakes, all those get magnified. Disappointed. You’ve got to give credit to Atlanta. They battled. Did a better job than us, obviously.”

Ridder’s 6-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-4 pulled Atlanta within 24-19 with 11:48 remaining. Love needed an answer. He didn’t deliver. On third down, he almost threw a pick-6 to A.J. Terrell.

On the ensuing possession, the Falcons drew within 24-22 with 8:10 to go. Love needed an answer. Three runs by AJ Dillon gained 9 1/2 yards. On fourth down, coach Matt LaFleur kept the offense on the field. There was an opening to the right for Love to sneak for the first down but he never got the snap from center Josh Myers. The result was a false start and a punt.

Love took the blame after the game for messing up the communication at the line of scrimmage.

Desmond Ridder and Drake London celebrate their first-half touchdown :: Photo by Brett Davis/USA Today Sports Images

“I said the wrong thing, so it’s pretty much not a play until I give the live word and I gave the wrong live word on that one,” he explained.

So, following the punt, Atlanta started at its 27 with 6:07 remaining. Given the Falcons’ offensive momentum, the only question was whether they would score a touchdown or field goal and how much time Love would have to answer.

The answers were a field goal and 57 seconds. Green Bay’s drive went nowhere. On second down, Love was smashed and was fortunate that his flutterball wasn’t intercepted. On fourth down, Love faced pressure again and couldn’t quite connect with Samori Toure. An illegal shift would have nullified the completion, anyway.

The Packers did not gain a single first down on their three fourth-quarter possessions.

Green Bay’s top offensive playmakers, running back Aaron Jones and receiver Christian Watson, as well as their most accomplished offensive lineman, left tackle David Bakhtiari, were inactive. Plus, Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins dropped out with a knee injury before halftime.

Love made no excuses. Indeed, the Packers managed to take a 24-12 lead into the fourth quarter. Given the abundant challenges, Love hardly could have played better after a slow start. At one point, he completed 12-of-13 passes with three touchdowns.

Green Bay led 10-9 at halftime, then added a touchdown to open the third quarter. On first down from Atlanta’s 32, rookie receiver Dontayvion Wicks motioned right, then ran an in-breaking route to the left. Wicks caught ball around the 16, eluded cornerback Tre Flowers and safety Richie Grant, and strolled into the end zone to make it 17-9.

The Falcons pulled within 17-12, the fans incensed when Ridder’s touchdown pass to Mack Hollins was overturned upon review. The fans got even more upset moments later. Love, under intense pressure, came up short on his deep shot to Romeo Doubs but Flowers was on Doubs like a pair of tighty-whities well before the ball arrived. The obvious interference penalty gave the Packers 43 easy yards.

Three of the next four plays were completions to rookie receiver Jayden Reed, including a 10-yard touchdown on a coverage bust that made it 24-12 late in the third quarter.

The Packers led 10-9 at halftime. Green Bay’s touchdown came on a jet-sweep-style flip from Love to Reed, who turned on the jets to get around the corner for a 9-yard score. Atlanta’s touchdown came just before halftime, with Drake London using his size to get open for a 3-yard score against Jaire Alexander. A missed extra point was the difference on the scoreboard.

Both teams bungled away scoring opportunities. The Packers had a shot on their first drive following a 44-yard penalty on a flea-flicker, but a false start by left tackle Rasheed Walker and a delay of game before the field goal led to a punt. The Falcons had a first-and-goal at the 1 but Green Bay’s defense stiffened, with TJ Slaton helping stuff a first-down run and Kenny Clark’s pressure producing a third-down incompletion.

Green Bay led at halftime despite being outgained 212-118.

Rasul Douglas celebrates his interception. (Photo by Brett Davis/USA Today Sports Images)

Packers Game Ball

Jayden Reed caught four passes for 37 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The second-round pick was superb throughout training camp and the preseason and has delivered in both games.

Packers Lame Ball

Green Bay’s run defense showed some fangs against the Bears’ electric running attack last week. It looked toothless against the Falcons’ powerful running game on Sunday. The Falcons rushed 45 times for 211 yards. The 4.7-yard average wasn’t horrible; it’s that the Falcons routinely gained yards to stay out of bad down-and-distance situations. During coach Matt LaFleur’s first four seasons as coach, the Packers ranked 31st with 4.73 yards allowed per carry. It was a huge problem yet again on Sunday.

The Losing Number

The Packers were outgained 166-11 in the fourth quarter. The Falcons had more plays (25) than the Packers had yards, a losing formula every time.

Quote of the Day

“You guys saw it. They shredded us – consistently.”

- Packers coach Matt LaFleur on the run defense

Next Week

The Packers will host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The home opener will start at noon. The Saints beat the Titans 16-15 in Week 1 and will play at the Carolina Panthers on Monday night.

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