Green Bay, Wis. — What was supposed to be a chance for the Green Bay Packers to build momentum instead turned into another troubling night at Lambeau Field.
Four days after rallying for a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, Green Bay struggled to generate any consistency Thursday night, falling 35-14 to the Atlanta Falcons.
The defeat dropped the Packers to 1-2 and continued a troubling stretch that dates back to the end of last season, when Green Bay lost its final five games.
The Packers entered the night hoping their comeback in the previous game would serve as a turning point. Instead, they were outplayed in nearly every important phase against an Atlanta team that had entered the game without a red-zone possession through its first two games.
Quarterback Jordan Love put up respectable numbers, completing 28 of 53 passes for 312 yards. But the passing statistics could not mask the larger problems surrounding the Green Bay offense.
Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr., making his first start of the season, helped the Falcons consistently move the football, while running back Bijan Robinson delivered the biggest performance of the night.
A Defensive Collapse Changes the Game
Green Bay appeared to have control early.
The Packers defense came out with energy in front of the home crowd and limited Atlanta to just 50 yards on its first 12 plays. Safety Xavier McKinney also recorded his first interception of the season.
Then everything changed.
On third down, edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. was flagged for roughing the passer after making contact with Penix’s helmet. The penalty extended the Falcons’ possession and gave Atlanta another opportunity.
One play later, Robinson exploded through the Packers defense for a 55-yard run.
That sequence became a turning point.
Atlanta scored all 17 of its first-half points after Green Bay had taken a 7-0 lead, gaining 203 yards over its final 28 offensive plays of the half.
The Packers could not regain control.
Falcons Run Through Green Bay
The biggest problem for Green Bay was its inability to stop Atlanta’s running game.
Robinson was spectacular, rushing for 194 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. But the damage wasn’t limited to Atlanta’s Pro Bowl-caliber back.
Brian Robinson Jr. added another 50 yards on 10 carries and scored on a 7-yard touchdown run in the second half.
Together, Atlanta’s backs produced 242 rushing yards on 41 attempts.
Green Bay, meanwhile, managed only 17 rushing yards on nine carries.
That disparity made it extremely difficult for the Packers to establish balance or keep pressure off Love.
Atlanta consistently found running lanes, while Green Bay struggled to create room for its own backs.
Short-Yardage Problems Continue
Another troubling issue surfaced in a critical situation early in the second half.
The Packers faced fourth-and-1 from Atlanta’s 7-yard line and needed only a single yard to keep the drive alive.
Rather than using Love on a quarterback sneak, coach Matt LaFleur called a play-action pass.
The Falcons pressured Love immediately. He was forced out of the pocket, could not find an open receiver and eventually threw an errant incomplete pass toward Christian Watson in the end zone.
Instead of extending the drive and potentially cutting into Atlanta’s advantage, Green Bay came away empty-handed.
The sequence highlighted a larger issue for the Packers: their struggles in critical short-yardage situations.
Earlier in the season, Green Bay had already been stopped on fourth-and-1 against Minnesota. Against Atlanta, the Packers again failed to find a reliable answer when they needed a yard.
Special Teams Provide Another Frustrating Moment
Rookie kicker Trey Smack also endured a difficult moment during his first game kicking at Lambeau Field.
Smack’s 47-yard field-goal attempt appeared to have a chance, but Atlanta defensive tackle Zach Harrison came through the protection and blocked the kick.
The protection breakdown left a clear opening between Anthony Belton and Jonathan Ford, allowing Harrison to penetrate untouched.
For Smack, it was an unfortunate introduction to kicking at Lambeau.
For Green Bay, it was another reminder that problems are emerging throughout the roster and not simply at one position.
Packers Searching for Answers
Green Bay entered the season with expectations of competing near the top of the NFC, but the opening three games have produced more questions than answers.
The Packers’ inability to stop the run, lack of rushing production, inconsistent execution in short-yardage situations and breakdowns on special teams all contributed to Thursday night’s loss.
Love’s 312 passing yards were not enough to overcome those deficiencies.
The Packers will now have to regroup quickly. At 1-2, the season is far from over, but the margin for error is becoming smaller.
What looked like an opportunity to build on a dramatic comeback instead became another difficult night for Green Bay.
The Packers now have to find a way to turn their flashes of potential into consistent football before these early-season problems become much harder to overcome.
