The Green Bay Packers (1-1) gave up 13 straight points and surrendered a 24-12 lead in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 25-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons (2-0) on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 2.
The Falcons produced 446 total yards, including 211 rushing, and out-gained the Packers by over 200 yards. Green Bay allowed 27 first downs and nine conversions on third or fourth down.
Buy Packers TicketsThe Packers had two three-and-outs and a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter, while the Falcons scored on three straight drives.
Here’s an instant analysis and recap of the Packers’ 25-24 loss in Week 2:
Final score: Falcons 25, Packers 24
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| GB (1-1) | 0 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
| ATL (1-1) | 3 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 25 |
Scoring summary
ATL 3, GB 0: Younghoe Koo 24-yard field goal (3:50, first quarter)
GB 7, ATL 3: Jayden Reed 9-yard catch (13:33, second quarter)
GB 10, ATL 3: Anders Carlson 33-yard field goal (3:06, second quarter)
GB 10, ATL 9: Drake London 3-yard catch (0:12, second quarter)
GB 17, ATL 9: Dontayvion Wicks 32-yard catch (10:31, third quarter)
GB 17, ATL 12: Younghoe Koo 33-yard field goal (3:07, third quarter)
GB 24, ATL 12: Jayden Reed 10-yard catch (0:56, third quarter)
GB 24, ATL 19: Desmond Ridder 6-yard run (11:48, fourth quarter)
GB 24, ATL 22: Younghoe Koo 39-yard field goal (8:10, fourth quarter)
ATL 25, GB 24: Younghoe Koo 25-yard field goal (0:57, fourth quarter)
It was over when...
Samori Toure’s 13-yard catch, which would have been negated by an illegal shift penalty anyway, was ruled incomplete on review. The incompletion on fourth down led to a turnover on downs, giving the ball back to the Falcons late in the fourth quarter.
Game balls
WR Jayden Reed: The rookie caught four passes, including the first two touchdowns of his NFL career. He gave the Packers a 7-3 lead in the first half and a 24-12 lead in the third quarter.
DL Kenny Clark: The veteran defensive lineman finished with a half-sack and two quarterback hits, plus a half-dozen (or more) total pressures.
K Anders Carlson: The rookie kicker continued his perfect start in 2023, making all four of his kicks including a 33-yard field goal.
Key stat
78 to 47: The Falcons ran 78 plays to the Packers’ 47. Atlanta produced 27 first downs and held the ball for over 36 minutes, thanks largely to a dominant run game (211 yards). Overall, the Falcons ran the ball (45 times) almost as many times as the total number of Packers plays.
Jordan Love watch
Like last week, Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes, took just one sack, didn’t have a turnover and finished with a passer rating well over 100.0 (113.5). He also finished 0-for-6 passing in the fourth quarter and botched a crucial quarterback sneak, which led to a punt. For a stretch, Love played excellent football, distributing the ball to a variety of targets while playing behind a makeshift offensive line and without Christian Watson and Aaron Jones. He played another clean game overall. But the game tightened up in the fourth quarter and Love struggled to find answers.
Play of the game: Jordan Love 24-yard scramble
Packers fans have to Love what they see here ❤️ @jordan3love
📺: #GBvsATL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/ZZlxdq8ss9— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
On an important 3rd-and-10 in the first half, Love broke contain of the pocket, got around the edge and raced to an explosive play. Patrick Taylor picked up the blitz, allowing Love to move out of the pocket, and Jayden Reed blocked forever downfield. The result was a touchdown drive. An impressively athletic play in a big spot from the young quarterback.
Injury updates
Elgton Jenkins got hit in the side of his leg at the end of an A.J. Dillon run in the first half and left the game with a knee injury. He didn’t return. Matt LaFleur provided no details after the game. Lukas Van Ness left with an elbow injury. LaFleur also gave no extra detail on why David Bakhtiari didn’t play.
What's next
The Packers went 1-1 on their two-game road trip to start the season and now head back to Green Bay for the home opener against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field in Week 3. The Saints play on the road against the Carolina Panthers on Monday night in Week 2, meaning a short week and another road game for New Orleans in Week 3.
