The Atlanta Falcons were in a dark place heading into their Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Falcons were 0-2 in their first two games, outscored 54-16, and suffered an embarrassing loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, prompting my colleague James Dator to write a wise headline.Falcons have reached a new level of drinking because they suck so bad.“
The Falcons were returning their quarterback for Week 3.He made his season debut after a few Cooper Rush disaster lessons to start the year with Michael Penix. Still, the Packers were -4.5 or -5.5 at most major sportsbooks to win the game, mostly because that’s how Atlanta started the season.
The Falcons beat the Packers 35-14 in a loss that would have sent Green Bay reeling, reflecting the spirit of Atlanta fans who thought the season might be over. The Falcons dominated Green Bay’s defense after the first quarter with stars Bijaan Robinson (194 yards and two touchdowns) and Drake London (194 receiving yards) both dominating the Green Bay defense, and Penix was able to make good plays and lead the game. This result feels more about Green Bay than the Falcons.
The Packers’ performance was so disappointing that they let the home fans hear it. Lambeau Field booed the Packers in the fourth quarter. There were also a few “ATL” chants. It’s being heard in the stands. After the game, Green Bay tight end Tucker Craft rebuffed fans who booed the home team. This whole quote is a big yikes.
“That’s tough. Like everybody else, I draw Lambeau Field, not Bos. I don’t draw Boone. I draw my home stadium. That’s tough. It’s very sad, especially for a home opener. It’s very disappointing. It’s not going to help us win. I don’t know what people think. But we’re strong enough. Good enough to get back on the field and play ball. But it’s a lot easier than having 70,000 people behind us against us. It might be.
It’s hard to blame Packer fans for expressing their frustration after such a poor performance. This Green Bay fan was actually going through this:
Green Bay’s defense ran all night and couldn’t hold Atlanta’s offense to a 3-and-out. QB Jordan Love Constantly forced Even if he was fired only once. Green Bay doesn’t have a running game to speak of Josh Jacobs has been terminated due to allegations of domestic abuse. The Packers finished with 17 rushing yards on the night, while the Falcons finished with 249 rushing yards.
The Packers’ special teams gave up a blocked field goal to a team that only had 10 players on the field.
The riders now have problems in all three phases of the game. This team could easily be 0-3. After a 39-22 loss to Minnesota and Carson Wentz in the opener, Green Bay needed a miracle to stave off the Jets in overtime in Week 2.
Green Bay’s roster feels thin at running back and wide receiver in the tight ends, defensive backfield and playmaking groups. Head coach Matt LaFleur received a controversial extension this offseason, and that already feels like a disaster. LaFleur has a history of being a scared coach, and he feels this team has been robbed of confidence. Green Bay does not have a 2027 first-round pick that was sent in the Micah Parsons trade and is now owned by the New York Jets. Parsons remains with a torn ACL, though he is expected to return by midseason.
The Packers stink loudly, and their players are embarrassing themselves with quotes like Kraft’s after the game. It’s entirely possible the Packers can’t even dream of going straight up and holding their draft pick in the loaded 2027 class. Bringing LaFleur back was a terrible idea.