A banged-up Packers team went into Atlanta and came close, but not close enough. Without top players Aaron Jones, Christian Watson, and David Bakhtiari, the Packers' Offense still moved the ball and scored over 20 points, but late in the game, that all kind of collapsed.

At first, it seemed like no top weapons, no problem. The Packers got some good production out of their young receivers which resulted in their first career touchdowns. But late in the game when it counted the most, the Packers were missing these players. Lack of productivity on offense unfortunately affected the defense as well. When the offense went three and out, this left the defense with little rest and the Falcons' rushing attack ensured they paid for it.

The Packers had a great 2nd and 3rd quarter on offense, and the defense was able to hold the Falcons to only 12 points. But poor execution in the fourth quarter just let it all fall to the ground giving this young team their first loss of the season.

Let's get to the recap:

First Quarter:

The Packers started their first play of the game with a little excitement calling a flea flicker intended for Dontayvion Wicks that was called for pass interference as Wicks was taken down by the defender before the ball even got there. That penalty placed the Packers at the Atlanta 30. However, it was all backward from there as the Packers weren’t able to do anything with the good field position. A false start and a tipped pass forced the Packers to an Anders Carlson field goal attempt. But then more trouble ensued with a delay of game call forcing the ball out of field-goal range leading to a Danny Whelan punt. A big penalty was gifted, but the Packers were unable to capitalize.

After the rough first drive by the offense, the defense followed up when Rasul Douglas made a huge interception early on in the Falcons' first drive. The ball was tipped high in the air and Douglas made a leaping grab to put the ball back in the hands of the Packers offense. However, the Packer's Offense once again was unable to capitalize as they went three and out, topped off by a big sack of Jordan Love by Kaden Elliss. Again, Danny Whelan punts it away giving the ball back to the Falcons with 10:33 left in the first quarter. It was seen early that Rasheed Walker was not off to a good start in his first game as the starter replacing David Bakhtiari, giving up the sack on that drive completely whiffing on his assignment.

The Packers' defense on the following Atlanta drive had several chances to put the Falcons away on third down, but just couldn’t contain them. After the Falcons offense was able to take the ball down to the Green Bay 1-yard line, Green Bay‘s defense held firm with a big run stuff on second down, and a forced incompletion on third. After a false start was called against the Falcons offense on a fourth and goal conversion attempt, the Falcons lined up for a field goal and got the first points of the game going up 3-0 with 3:50 remaining in the first quarter.

On the Packers' third drive of the game, they came out and finally looked like they were starting to cook with a few good passes from Jordan Love to Romeo Doubs and Luke Musgrave. On third down, Jordan Love broke out a 24-yard run, showing his mobility to get the Packers into the red zone for the first time in the game. This would wind down the clock in the first quarter as the offense would walk their way to the other side of the field to start the second.

Second Quarter:

The Green Bay offense started the second quarter in the red zone driving for their first score. After a short run by AJ Dillon and a pass to Luke Musgrave, it was believed AJ Dillon had gained the first down on third but the ball was marked short. Matt LaFleur challenged the call and was successful leading to a first and goal from the Falcons 9 with 13:40 remaining in the half. On the first play, following the challenge, Jayden Reed took the ball into the end zone off a jet sweep pass for his first career touchdown and the Packers were on top 7-3 with 13:33 remaining in the first half.

The Packers seemed like they might’ve forced a three and out on the Falcons following drive but a big pass on third down from Desmond Ridder to Drake London continued the drive to the Falcons 34-yard line. Atlanta drove into Packers territory, but their drive ended on a failed 4th down attempt when Jaire Alexander nearly had a gifted interception but couldn’t hold on. Alexander likely was celebrating in the end-zone had he reeled that one in but instead the Packers took over at their own 41 with 8:51 left in the half. 

The Packers started their following drive unfortunately without Elgton Jenkins at left guard, as he was questionable to return with a knee injury. Jenkins did not return to the game and was replaced by Royce Newman. They came out cruising though with a good mix of run and passing success as they pushed the ball into the red zone. Unfortunately, that’s where the drive stalled though, as they were unable to reach pay dirt this time around settling for a 33-yard field goal by Anders Carlson to extend the lead to 10-3 with 3:06 remaining in the half. The third down attempt was a pinpoint throw to the end-zone by Jordan Love intended for Dontayvion Wicks. But it was a good play by the defender to force the field goal.

The Falcons started their next drive with 3:06 remaining in the half and drove down the field in an attempt to get some points before halftime. The Packers nearly had a stop before the Falcons reached the end-zone but they converted on fourth down extending the drive. Then, with 16 seconds left in the half, Desmond Ridder connected with Drake London in the end zone. This would have tied the game but the extra point by Younghoe Koo was missed putting the score at 10-9 with the Packers on top and this is how it would end up heading into the locker room to end the half.

Third Quarter:

The Falcons started the third quarter with the ball. The tale of this drive ended up being dropped passes. Coincidentally, for both sides. Falcons receivers just couldn’t seem to hold onto the ball when it came their way, and neither could Quay Walker as he dropped an interception thrown right into his hands. Nonetheless, Atlanta was forced to punt giving Green Bay the ball for their first drive of the second half.

The Packers then came out on their first drive moving the ball right into Falcons territory featuring some Romeo Doubs toe drag swag for a first down to the Falcons 38. Then Jordan Love connected with Dontayvion Wicks for a 32-yard touchdown giving Wicks his first career score. An Anders Carlson extra point put the score at 17-9 with 10:31 remaining in the third quarter.

On the following drive with the Falcons' offense taking over, the Packers' defense didn’t get the memo to show up, and the Falcons drove right into Green Bay territory, mostly on the ground. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combined for 49 yards rushing on this drive, draining the Packers' defense. The drive was then capped off by a Mack Hollins touchdown catch in the back of the end-zone from Desmond Ridder. Or was it? Mack Hollins’ heels were out of bounds after his toes tapped. The play was then challenged and ruled incomplete. After the overturned TD, a sack on Desmond Ridder from Kenny Clark forced the Falcons to settle for a field goal putting the score at 17-12 with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter. 

With the Packers taking over, on the first play of the drive Jordan Love targeted Romeo Doubs downfield but he was interfered with by Trey Flowers drawing the flag and putting the ball at the Atlanta 35. The Packers then drove into the red zone with a big run by AJ Dillon and a nice first down catch by Jayden Reed taking the Packers offense to first and goal from the Atlanta 10. Jayden Reed was then hit again wide open by Jordan Love for the touchdown bringing the score to 24-12 with 0:56 remaining in the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter:

On the following drive for the Falcons, they continued to make it a game ushering in the fourth quarter. Highlighted by a reverse flea flicker when Ridder found Mack Hollins deep for a 45-yard pass to the Packers’ 12-yard line, the Falcons were again threatening. They capped it off with a Desmond Ridder keeper as he ran it into the end-zone to make it a five-point game with the Packers up 24-19 with 11:48 remaining in the game.

This, unfortunately, was when the Packers offense went stale following up the Falcons' scoring drive with a three-and-out. Two incompletions and a short run by AJ Dillon forced the Packers to punt. Not a good answer by the Packers and they gave the ball right back to a hot Atlanta offense.

A face mask on Green Bay off the punt gave Atlanta their best starting field position of the game, beginning the drive at their 35-yard line. A huge catch by Bijan Robinson took the ball down to the Green Bay 24 with 8:54 remaining in the game. The Packer's defense was able to get the stop though from that point leading to a Falcons field goal bringing the score to 24-22 Packers with 8:10 remaining in the game.

Yet again, on the following drive for the Packers, they looked like they could’ve hit a first down, but fell just short on yet another three and out, having to punt the ball away to the Falcons being only up by two with 6:07 remaining. This drive was the worst possible outcome in such a close game especially with the defense getting little rest. The offense was doing the defense no favors as they failed to get a first down at all in the fourth quarter. Possibly a little more rest would've helped the defense along. 

With the Packers' defense hitting the field gassed, the Falcons' offense certainly took advantage moving the ball right into the red zone. They were able to drain the clock down to 1:01 left in the game when the Falcons settled for a Field Goal and converted putting the score at 25-24 Falcons with 0:57 seconds remaining in the game. 

It was now time to see if the Packers could drive down for a score with zero timeouts in their pockets and less than a minute to play. Once again though, the Packers just could not even get a first down. Three incompletions brought on fourth down. It was then that it appeared Jordan Love had hit Samori Toure for the conversion, but later the play was reviewed, and found that Toure did not have possession. The game was over as the Falcons took over and kneeled the ball to wind out the clock.

Offensive Player of the Game:

Last week, I wanted to give this award to Jordan Love. This week, I think I'm doing it. Today Jordan Love brought his touchdown to interception total from 3 to 0, to 6 to 0 on the season. The Packers Quarterback is showing signs of why this organization had so much confidence in him to take over. He also got the chance to show off his rushing capabilities on a nice 24-yard run in the second quarter. The panic just isn't there with Jordan Love, for the second straight game, he looked very comfortable in the pocket. The only improvement is that he needs to make his reads possibly a little quicker. There were several receivers open in situations that could've given this game a different result. He'll be kicking himself as he watches film this week but that's all part of being a young QB.

Defensive Player of the Game:

There wasn't a true standout on defense in this game. But, if I had to pick one I'm going to take Rasul Douglas. His interception early in the game was a highlight and he had two more passes defended. He had four solo tackles on top of this, and there weren't many moments where I saw him give up a big play so he's getting the award this week. 

What Went Right:

I have to give a huge compliment to the offensive line. Missing both David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins early on was a concern. However, you wouldn't know it as they only gave up one sack and three quarterback hits. Jordan Love may have been hurried a few extra times, and the running game possibly could've gone better with those two in the lineup, but for the most part, the line held firm and kept the offense in the game. 

What Went Wrong:

My first "what went wrong" is going to the fourth-quarter offense. After looking pretty good spreading the ball around, suddenly we couldn't get a first down to save our lives. We had many opportunities where it seemed like we could've converted but the offense just did not get it done at all in the fourth quarter and it essentially decided the game. Possibly one drive into the red zone in the fourth quarter could've drained some clock, given the defense a rest, and ended it even if it resulted in a field goal.

My second goes to the run defense. It's the same old song and dance for this defense again getting gashed on the ground. Atlanta's rushing attack produced 211 yards. I will refer back to the above statement that this defense didn't get any rest help from the offense, so, that could've contributed. But all in all this defense is too stacked up front to be continually knocked out by the run.

Next week the Packers will enjoy their first regular season game from the comfy confines of Lambeau Field. The New Orleans Saints will be entering Green Bay fresh off a shortened week after taking on the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football in Charlotte. The Packers will see some familiar faces in former running back, Jamaal Willams, and former tight end, Jimmy Graham. The Saints boast one of the best defenses in the league, as well as a dangerous receiving tandem in Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and veteran Michael Thomas. It should be a good test for this young team as they look to pull off another win. Hopefully, they can get back to their winning ways in Green Bay as they will have to turn around a short week back on the following Thursday against Detroit.