The Green Bay Packers have extended their record to 5-0, but it was a tough battle as the Falcons got up early, by a 14-0 lead. The Packers haven’t trailed by 14 points in the last two seasons.
“It was a choppy game but we persevered,” Rodgers said.
The Falcons got a fast start, and had long, time-consuming drives. Rodgers and the Packers only got one series in the whole first quarter, which ended in a Ryan Grant fumble. By the time the Packers got the ball for their second series, there was 12 minutes left in the half and they were down 14-0.
But once the Packers got rolling, they are hard to stop and Rodgers is as good as any quarterback in the game. The Packers managed two field goals in the second quarter to cut the lead to 14-6 at half time.
“There was no panic in the locker room,” he said. “Once we settle in the game and start making plays, we have a good game.”
The second half was all Green Bay, as they scored 19 unanswered points, to walk off with the 25-14 victory. Green Bay’s running game never materialized, as they managed only 57 yards rushing for the entire game.
The defense was strong after the first two Falcons scoring drives, managing 2 interceptions of Matt Ryan, who finished the game with 167 yards passing and 1 TD. The defense also pitched a shutout for the entire second half.
And Rodgers was at the top of his game, providing whatever the team needed. He threw on the run, he rolled out, he slid within the pocket. He finished the game with 396 yards passing and 2 TDs, completing his fourth 300-yard game of the year, and just missing his second 400-yarder.
Rodgers said after the game, “It’s just one of those games. The rhythm wasn’t there all the time, but we just stayed with it.” The Packers overcame a slow start to ultimately dominate the last three quarters of the game. Considering it was the toughest test the Packers have faced in two years, everyone better look out for the Packers through the rest of the season.
The Packers will host the winless St. Louis Rams next week, while the disappointing 2-3 Falcons will look for revenge against the 1-4 Carolina Panthers.
